To J.W.R.

I’ve swum in the ol’ swimmin’ hole

      Tell mother fetched a stick;

I’ve held a dog-goned fishin’ pole

      Fur hours erlong the Crick.

I’ve read yewr verses day by day,

      Ez on’y poet could;

Wisht I could hol’ yewr han’ en say

      “They done me heaps uv good”!

c. Sept. 1, 1899

            (James Whitcomb Riley)