HOWDY, Mister Hop-Toad! Glad to see you out! Bin a month o' Sund'ys sense I seen you hereabout. Kind o' bin a-layin' in, from the frost and snow? Good to see you out ag'in, it's bin so long ago! Plow's like slicin' cheese, and sod's loppin' over even; Loam's like gingerbread, and clods's softer'n deceivin' -- Mister Hop-Toad, honest-true -- Spring-time -- don't you love it? You old rusty rascal you, at the bottom of it! Oh! oh! oh! I grabs up my old hoe; But I sees @3you,@1 And s' I, "Ooh-ooh! Howdy, Mister Hop-Toad! How-dee-do!" Make yourse'f more comfo'bler -- square 'round at your ease -- Don't set saggin' slanchwise, with your nose below your knees. Swell that fat old throat o' yourn and lemme see you swaller; Straighten up and h'ist your head! -- @3You@1 don't owe a dollar! -- Hain't no mor'gage on your land -- ner no taxes, nuther; @3You@1 don't haf to work no roads, even ef you'd ruther. 'F I was you, and @3fixed@1 like you, I railly wouldn't keer To swap fer life and hop right in the presidential cheer! Oh! oh! oh! I hauls back my old hoe; But I sees @3you,@1 And s' I, "Ooh-ooh! Howdy, Mister Hop-Toad! How-dee-do!" 'Long about next Aprile, hoppin' down the furry, Won't you mind I ast you what 'peared to be the hurry? -- Won't you mind I hooked my hoe and hauled you back and smiled? -- W'y, bless you, Mister Hop-Toad, I love you like a child! S'pose I'd want to 'flict you any more'n what you air? -- S'pose I think you got no rights 'cept the warts you wear? Hulk, sulk, and blink away, you old bloat-eyed rowdy! -- Hain't you got a word to say? -- Won't you tell me "Howdy"? Oh! oh! oh! I swish round my old hoe; But I sees @3you,@1 And s' I, "Ooh-ooh! Howdy, Mister Hop-Toad! How-dee-do!" |