Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 36, Number 137, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 December 1904 — FOOLISH PA. [ARTICLE]

FOOLISH PA.

My pa is always wishin’ he Could be a boy again, he claims; I don’t know why, because, you se<, The kids he knew would call him names ■ And make fun of him if he’d cry. And every hew boy that he seen He’d have to lick or get licked by To give up all he has today If lie could be a little tad With all his troubles cleared away; But if he thinks it’s only fun To be just ten or nine or less And catch it for the things you’ve done He never was a boy, I guess. The minute he was havin’ joy And get his turn to hit the ball I’ll bgt you. if he was a boy, His ma’d come to the door and call, He’d have to hurry to the store Or wheel the baby’s cab, and then He wouldn’t be so glad no more That he’d become a boy again. They’d call him “Skinny,” too, I s’pose. ____ Because he’s kind of tall and slim, And when he tore his Sunday clo’s They’d thrash the stuffin’ out of him; They’d-never let him stay ut> late Or ever have the things he’d wunt; He’d have to eat the stuff he’d hate, Or else, you know, he’d be a runt. If they was any plaecs where He always had the greatest fun They’d make him stay away from there; ' - And almost everything he done Would be the very thing they’d claim Was what they didn’t want him to; ’Most every day he’d get the blame For forty things he didn’t do. He’d have to give up ma and me If he could be a boy, you know, And every girl he loved would be Too old and have another beau; But still he says he’d like To whoop around without a care And be a happy little tike — I guess that he would miss it there, Pa says he’d give up all he’s got If he could be a boy today; I guess that he’s forgot a lot, Or else he wouldn’t feel that way. If I was in his place and had As much as he has —all my own— I’d give up wishin’ and be glad To just let well enough alone. —S. E. KISER.