A ABSENT-MINDED WOMAN.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XXXXII, Issue 77, 28 March 1900, Page 4

A ABSENT-MINDED WOMAN.

She's a absent-minded woman, sich a one I never seeen; M Tommy's wife, asittin' there alone; We'd shouted Rule Britannia, we 'ad sang God save the Queen, While she sat there acrying on 'er own. Yes, Tommy's hoff on dooty; 'ow we cheered 'im marchin' by— He looked jest like the'ero in a story! But blowed if Mary didn't keep 'er apron to her eye, Forgettin' all about old England's glory ! Who'll give? You'll give? All of us are there; Kent's duo; food's dear; Tommy 'as gone away; Tommy is fightin' 'is best for us, an' we will do our share:— For Tommy's wife and Tommy's kiddies —what ha' yer got to say ? Them women's awful coorions ways, they hoften puzzles me; I read 'er hout the paper 'tother night—'Ow Tommy's troup 'ad scaled the heights an' stormed the battery; An' all about our soldiers' gallant fight. She's a absent-minded woman; yes, so 'elp me ! when I stopped, Athinkin' Lor! 'ow proud she'd be a f eelin'! She never said a bloomin' word; 'er upper lip she'd dropped— By the cradle in the corner she was kneelin'. Who'll'elp? You'll elp? We all are goers ere; Rent's due; food's dear; Tommy 'as gone away; Tommy is fightin' 'is best for us; for them as 'olds 'im dear— For Tommy's wife and Tommy's kiddies —what ha' yer got to say 1 I An' wlii'e 'e'j over in Natal, afightin' 'gainst the Boer, To fight the wolf at 'ome it ain't no fun; But bet your life the kids won't 'urt—for 'er I ain't so sure, She don't think 'arf enough o' Number Ono She's a absent-minded woman; an' she'll work until she'll drop— Not noticin' 'ow thin she's got an' .shabby; An' one by one the sticks will go; the weddin' ring she'll pop, To get the doctor's stuff for Tommy's babby. Who'll try? You'll try to see poor Mary through ? r J Rent's due; food's dear; Tommy 'as gone away; Tommy is fightin' 's best for us—and don't we know it, too! For Tommy's wife and Tommy's kiddies what ha' yer got to say ? An' so we're sendin' rotin' the 'at, to 'elp 'er till 'e's back— She never 'ad a very rosy lot; We'll make the little woman's winter npt sp cold an' black, And show our Tom as 'ow we ain't forgot. She's a absent-minded woman; an' if we don't make a stir, She'll be starvin' in a absent-minded manner, An' God will p'r'aps 'elp Tommy while we coves 'are 'elpin' 'er ? So pass the 'at, an' take my 'umble tannerYes, quick an' lively, send along yer tanner J Who'll say? You'll say Tommy 'as done 'is best ? Rent's due; food's dear; Tommy 'as gone away; Tommy is fightin' 'is best for us, an' we will do the rest:— For Tommy's wife and Tommy's kiddies —what ha' yer got to say ? GILHOOLEY. Melbourne, Ist January, 1900.