The Tree-Toad

"'S cur'ous-like," said the tree-toad,      "I've twittered fer rain all day;      And I got up soon,      And hollered tel noon -     But the sun, hit blazed away,      Tell I jest clumb down in a crawfish-hole,      Weary at hart, and sick at soul!     "Dozed away fer an hour,      And I tackled the thing agin:         And I sung, and sung,         Tel I knowed my lung      Was jest about give in;         And THEN, thinks I, ef hit don't rain NOW,         They's nothin' in singin', anyhow!     "Onc't in a while some farmer      Would come a-drivin' past;         And he'd hear my cry,         And stop and sigh -      Tel I jest laid back, at last,         And I hollered rain tel I thought my th'oat         Would bust wide open at ever' note!     "But I FETCHED her! - O I FETCHED her! -      'Cause a little while ago,         As I kindo' set,         With one eye shet,      And a-singin' soft and low,         A voice drapped down on my fevered brain,         A-sayin', - 'EF YOU'LL JEST HUSH I'LL RAIN!'"