A Man by the Name of Bolus

A man by the name of Bolus — (all 'at we'll ever know
Of the stranger's name, I reckon — and I'm kindo' glad it's so!) —
Got off here, Christmas morning, looked 'round the town, and then
Kindo' sized up the folks, I guess, and — went away again!

The fac's is, this man Bolus got "run in," Christmas-day;
The town turned out to see it, and cheered, and blocked the way;
And they dragged him 'fore the Mayor — fer he could n't er would n't walk —
And socked him down fer trial — though he could n't er would n't talk!

Drunk? They was no doubt of it! — Wy, the marshal of the town
Laughed and testified 'at he fell up-stairs 'stid o' down!
This man by the name of Bolus? — W'y, he even drapped his jaw
And snored on through his "hearin'" — drunk as you ever saw!

One feller spit in his boot-leg, and another 'n' drapped a small
Little chunk o' ice down his collar, — but he did n't wake at all!
And they all nearly split when his Honor said, in one of his witty ways,
To "chalk it down fer him, 'Called away — be back in thirty days!'"

That's where this man named Bolus slid, kindo' like in a fit,
Flat on the floor; and — drat my ears! — I hear 'em a-laughin' yit!
Somebody fetched Doc Sifers from jest acrost the hall, —
And all Doc said was, "Morphine! We're too late!" and that's all!

That's how they found his name out — piece of a letter 'at read:
"Your wife has lost her reason, and little Nathan's dead —
Come ef you kin, — fergive her — but Bolus, as fer me,
This hour I send a bullet through where my heart ort to be!"

Man by the name of Bolus! — As his revilers broke
Fer the open air, 'peared like, to me, I heard a voice 'at spoke —
Man by the name of Bolus! git up from where you lay —
Git up and smile white at 'em with your hands crossed thataway!