The Firebug and the West Wind 



(By E. T. Allen.) 



"No, I'll not burn my slash this spring," 



The moss-back logger said, 

 "I'll trust to God and luck again; 



Expense is what I dread." 



"It's time to hit the trail again," 



The careless camper said, 

 And left his little fire ablaze 



Within its leafy bed. 



"I'll light another cigarette," 



The idle loafer said, 

 And chucked his old snipe in the brush, 



One end still glowing red. 



"Let's punch the screen out of the stack,' 



The donkey fireman said. 

 And so he did and all the sparks 



Sailed blithely overhead. 



"Come on, we'll dump our ashes now," 

 The railroad trainmen said. 



The train soon fanned them far and wide 

 As on its way it sped. 



"Good time to fire my slashing now," 



The thrifty settler said, 

 And touched it off without a thought 



Of how far it might spread. 



