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!