Chapter I: Foreword

Twenty-two of these Bucolics have appeared from time to time during the last three years in “A LINE O’ TYPE OR TWO” of _The Chicago Tribune_. For permission to reprint them here I am indebted to the genial “Conductor.”

P. S. W.

_Chicago, November, 1918._

Contents

_Page_

The Skillet 5

The Bootleg Gang at Sims’ 7

The Mocking Bird 11

The Siren 15

Laury at the ’Phone 17

The ’Possum Hunt 19

Jupiter 21

Laury’s Lullaby 23

Bill Non-Committal 25

Laury’s “Eats” 29

Bill on Seth Watts 33

The Katydid 37

Bill’s Vote 41

Bill’s “Risin’” 43

Calamitous Days 47

The Pet Calf 51

Bill on War 53

Treed 57

Bill on Tobacco 59

The New Year’s Turkey 65

The Picture 67

The Letter from Lon 69

The Drouth 73

The Labor Situation 75

Killed in Action 77

November 79

_Say, Bill, ef I’ve cast sparrergrass at yew
In this ’ere book, ye needn’t think it’s trew;
Fer yew air jes’ ’s yer be from day ter day
In spite o’ what us foolin’ fellers say._

IDYLLS OF THE SKILLET FORK