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Wit and Humor of America, The Vol 03

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<h2>THE LITTLE MOCK-MAN</h2> <h3>BY JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY</h3> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> The Little Mock-man on the Stairs— He mocks the lady's horse 'at rares At bi-sickles an' things,— He mocks the mens 'at rides 'em, too; An' mocks the Movers, drivin' through, An' hollers "Here's the way you do With them-air hitchin'-strings!" "Ho! ho!" he'll say, Ole Settlers' Day, When they're all jogglin' by,— "You look like this," He'll say, an' twis' His mouth an' squint his eye An' 'tend like he wuz beat the bass Drum at both ends—an' toots and blares Ole dinner-horn an' puffs his face— The Little Mock-man on the Stairs! </div> <div class="stanza"> The Little Mock-man on the Stairs Mocks all the peoples all he cares 'At passes up an' down! He mocks the chickens round the door, An' mocks the girl 'at scrubs the floor, An' mocks the rich, an' mocks the pore, An' ever'thing in town! "Ho! ho!" says he, To you er me; An' ef we turns an' looks, He's all cross-eyed An' mouth all wide Like Giunts is, in books.— "Ho! ho!" he yells, "look here at me," An' rolls his fat eyes roun' an' glares,— "You look like this!" he says, says he— The Little Mock-man on the Stairs! </div> <div class="stanza"> The Little Mock— The Little Mock— The Little Mock-man on the Stairs, He mocks the music-box an' clock, An' roller-sofy an' the chairs; He mocks his Pa an' spec's he wears; He mocks the man 'at picks the pears An' plums an' peaches on the shares; He mocks the monkeys an' the bears On picture-bills, an' rips an' tears 'Em down,—an' mocks ist all he cares, An' EVER'body EVER'wheres! </div> </div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div>

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