"As love of native land," the old man said, 'Er stars and stripes a-wavin' overhead, Er nearest kith-and-kin, er daily bread, A Hoosier's love is for the old homestead."
HOME AGAIN WITH ME
I'M a-feelin' ruther sad, Fer a father proud and glad As I am – my only child Home, and all so rickonciléd! — Feel so strange-like, and don't know What the mischief ails me so! —
'Stid o' bad, I ort to be Feelin' good pertickerly— Yes, and extry thankful, too, — 'Cause my nearest kith-and-kin, My Elviry's schoolin' 's through, And I' got her home ag'in — Home ag'in with me!
My Elviry's schoolin' 's through, And I' got her home ag'in — Same as ef her mother'd bin Livin', I have done my best By the girl, and watchfulest; Nussed her – keerful' as I could — From a baby, day and night, — Drawin' on the neighberhood And the women-folks as light As needsessity 'u'd 'low — 'Cept in "teethin'," onc't, and fight Through black-measles…
Same as ef her mother'd bin Livin', I have done my best Don't know now How we ever saved the child! Doc hed give her up, and said (As I stood there by the bed Sort o' foolin' with her hair On the hot wet piller there) "Wuz no use!" – And at them-air Very words she waked and smiled — Yes, and knowed me. And that's where
