Encouragement

Who dat knockin' at de do'?     Why, Ike Johnson,--yes, fu' sho!     Come in, Ike. I 's mighty glad     You come down. I t'ought you 's mad     At me 'bout de othah night,     An' was stayin' 'way fu' spite.     Say, now, was you mad fu' true     Wen I kin' o' laughed at you?     Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f.     'T ain't no use a-lookin' sad,     An' a-mekin' out you 's mad;     Ef you 's gwine to be so glum,     Wondah why you evah come.     I don't lak nobidy 'roun'     Dat jes' shet dey mouf an' frown,--     Oh, now, man, don't act a dunce!     Cain't you talk? I tol' you once,     Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f.     Wha 'd you come hyeah fu' to-night?     Body 'd t'ink yo' haid ain't right.     I 's done all dat I kin do,--     Dressed perticler, jes' fu' you;     Reckon I 'd 'a' bettah wo'     My ol' ragged calico.     Aftah all de pains I 's took,     Cain't you tell me how I look?     Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f.     Bless my soul! I 'mos' fu'got     Tellin' you 'bout Tildy Scott.     Don't you know, come Thu'sday night,     She gwine ma'y Lucius White?     Miss Lize say I allus wuh     Heap sight laklier 'n huh;     An' she 'll git me somep'n new,     Ef I wants to ma'y too.     Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f.     I could ma'y in a week,     Ef de man I wants 'ud speak.     Tildy's presents 'll be fine,     But dey would n't ekal mine.     Him whut gits me fu' a wife     'Ll be proud, you bet yo' life.     I 's had offers; some ain't quit;     But I has n't ma'ied yit!     Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f.     Ike, I loves you,--yes, I does;     You 's my choice, and allus was.     Laffin' at you ain't no harm.--     Go 'way, dahky, whah 's yo' arm?     Hug me closer--dah, dat 's right!     Was n't you a awful sight,     Havin' me to baig you so?     Now ax whut you want to know,--     Speak up, Ike, an' 'spress yo'se'f!