A DUBIOUS "OLD KRISS"


[Illustration]

Us-folks is purty _pore_--but Ma
She's waitin'--two years more--tel Pa
He serve his term out. Our Pa he--
_He's in the Penitenchurrie_!

Now don't you never _tell_!--'cause _Sis_,
The _baby_, _she_ don't know he is.--
'Cause she wuz only four, you know,
He kissed her last an' hat to go!

Pa alluz liked Sis best of all
Us childern.--'Spect it's 'cause she fall
"When she'uz ist a _child_, one day--
An' make her back look thataway.

Pa--'fore he be a burglar--he's
A locksmiff, an' maked locks, an' keys,
An' knobs you pull fer bells to ring,
An' he could ist make _anything_!--

[Illustration]

'Cause our Ma say he can!--An' this
Here little pair o' crutches Sis