INTRODUCTION. 



Have often thoH I'd write a book, 

 Tho' had grave doubts how it would look. 

 To write a book should have knowledge, 

 To look nice should come from college . 



But I've not been through such machine. 

 Their inside walls have never seen, 

 Therefore am short in education, 

 So much needed in this vocation. 



I'd clutch the idea, then abolish. 

 Because I could not give it polish. 

 Still it haunts from time to time, 

 I'll let it slide in prose and rhyme. 



I'll start in verse — see how it goes — 

 I'll mix it up, both rhyme and prose. 

 The garbage may not please the eye 

 Of cultured critics, nor shall I try. 



Out on the world the book I'll cast, 

 Waft out the songs of old times past ; 

 Songs of the good old times I have seen. 

 What I have heard and where I have been. 



Old-time happenings set afloat. 

 Made up ol story and annecdote. 

 Contrast to-day with foggy times, 

 Show 'em up in bungling rhymes. 



From the days of yore, I take my text. 

 Our fathers' days with ours affixed, 

 AVarp of Auld-Lang-Syne, woof of yore, 

 From which will weave a cloth of lore. 



Now, in this day of innovation. 

 In this grand, progressive nation ; 

 Now, when these young canny laddies, 

 Gathering wisdom, beat their daddies. 



