The Poetry Corner

The Hoodoo.

By James Whitcomb Riley

Owned a pair o' skates onc't. - Traded Fer 'em, - stropped 'em on and waded Up and down the crick, a-waitin' Tel she'd freeze up fit fer skatin'. Mildest winter I remember - More like Spring- than Winter-weather! - Did n't frost tel bout December- Git up airly ketch a' feather Of it, mayby, 'crost the winder - Sunshine swinge it like a cinder! Well - I waited - and kep' waitin'! Couldn't see my money's w'oth in Them-air skates and was no skatin', Ner no hint o' ice ner nothin'! So, one day - along in airly Spring - I swopped 'em off - and barely Closed the dicker, 'fore the weather Natchurly jes slipped the ratchet, And crick - tail-race - all together, Froze so tight cat couldn't scratch it!