The Runaway Boy

Wunst I sassed my Pa, an' he     Won't stand that, an' punished me, -     Nen when he was gone that day,     I slipped out an' runned away.     I tooked all my copper-cents,     An' clumbed over our back fence     In the jimpson-weeds 'at growed     Ever'where all down the road.     Nen I got out there, an' nen     I runned some - an' runned again     When I met a man 'at led     A big cow 'at shooked her head.     I went down a long, long lane     Where was little pigs a-play'n';     An' a grea'-big pig went "Booh!"     An' jumped up, an' skeered me too.     Nen I scampered past, an' they     Was somebody hollered "Hey!"     An' I ist looked ever'where,     An' they was nobody there.     I Want to, but I'm 'fraid to try     To go back.... An' by-an'-by     Somepin' hurts my throat inside -     An' I want my Ma - an' cried.     Nen a grea'-big girl come through     Where's a gate, an' telled me who     Am I? an' ef I tell where     My home's at she'll show me there.     But I couldn't ist but tell     What's my name; an' she says well,     An' she tooked me up an' says     She know where I live, she guess.     Nen she telled me hug wite close     Round her neck! - an' off she goes     Skippin' up the street! An' nen     Purty soon I'm home again.     An' my Ma, when she kissed me,     Kissed the big girl too, an' she     Kissed me - ef I p'omise shore     I won't run away no more!