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Goin' Home To-Day.

My business on the jury's done--the quibblin' all is through--

I've watched the lawyers right and left, and give my verdict true;

I stuck so long unto my chair, I thought I would grow in;

And if I do not know myself, they'll get me there ag'in;

But now the court's adjourned for good, and I have got my pay;

I'm loose at last, and thank the Lord, I'm going home to-day.

I've somehow felt uneasy like, since first day I come down;

It is an awkward game to play the gentleman in town;

And this 'ere Sunday suit of mine on Sunday rightly sets;

But when I wear the stuff a week, it somehow galls and frets.

I'd rather wear my homespun rig of pepper-salt and gray--

I'll have it on in half a jiff, when I get home to-day.

I have no doubt my wife looked out, as well as any one--

As well as any woman could--to see that things was done:

For though Melinda, when I'm there, won't set her foot outdoors,

She's very careful, when I'm gone, to tend to all the chores.

But nothing prospers half so well when I go off to stay,

And I will put things into shape, when I get home to-day.

The mornin' that I come away, we had a little bout;

I coolly took my hat and left, before the show was out.

For what I said was naught whereat she ought to take offense;

And she was always quick at words and ready to commence.

But then she's first one to give up when she has had her say;

And she will meet me with a kiss, when I go home to-day.

My little boy--I'll give 'em leave to match him, if they can;

It's fun to see him strut about, and try to be a man!

The gamest, cheeriest little chap, you'd ever want to see!

And then they laugh, because I think the child resembles me.

The little rogue! he goes for me, like robbers for their prey;

He'll turn my pockets inside out, when I get home to-day.

My little girl--I can't contrive how it should happen thus--

That God could pick that sweet bouquet, and fling it down to us!

My wife, she says that han'some face will some day make a stir;

And then I laugh, because she thinks the child resembles her.

She'll meet me half-way down the hill, and kiss me, any way;

And light my heart up with her smiles, when I go home to-day!

If there's a heaven upon the earth, a fellow knows it when

He's been away from home a week, and then gets back again.

If there's a heaven above the earth, there often, I'll be bound,

Some homesick fellow meets his folks, and hugs 'em all around.

But let my creed be right or wrong, or be it as it may,

My heaven is just ahead of me--I'm going home to-day.