TOBACCO LEAVES 



How scared I was to see, one day, 

 A drunkard throw you down! 



I felt so certain you would slay 

 Or chase him out of town. 



My mother said that after dark 

 You scalped all naughty boys, 



And so I dared not have a lark 

 At dusk, nor make a noise. 



I lost my fear the day I saw 



A painter's boy apply 

 Vermilion paint upon your jaw 



And varnish to your eye. 



But now that I am twelve and more 



I use you every day 

 As target for my putty-blower 

 When after school I play. 



F. 

 117 



