Jock M'Pherson was a person who was boastful in conversin', <br /> But respectable and ponderous and dignified withal! <br />Con M'Carty was a party who was something of a smarty, <br /> And beside the big M'Pherson looked particularly small; <br /> But Cornelius M'Carty, he was artful, after all! <br /> <br />When Cornelius M'Carty thought M'Pherson was his dart, he <br /> Made a wager he could carry him a mile along the track; <br />Which, considering M'Pherson was a very weighty person, <br /> Was a risky undertaking for M'Carty's little back. <br /> But Cornelius protested it depended on the knack! <br /> <br />"Take yer coat off!" called M'Carty, and M'Pherson gave a start, he <br /> Hadn't bargained for proceedings the reverse of dignified! <br />But he felt he had the best of the arrangement. "Take yer vest off!" <br /> Said M'Carty; and M'Pherson very graciously complied. <br /> It was in the private parlor, and the crowd was all outside. <br /> <br />"Take yer boots off!" said M'Carty in a cheerful tone and hearty, <br /> But M'Pherson he objected that the crowd would see his toes. <br />Said M'Carty, "See, M'Pherson, there ain't any sense in cursin', <br /> Take yer boots off, I don't reckon to be handicapped with those! <br /> I am not the sort of juggins you apparently suppose!" <br /> <br />This M'Pherson's wrath arouses. "But," said he, "I'll keep me trousers!" <br /> "Not a trouser!" said M'Carty, "or to me the wager goes. <br />The conditions you're reversin'; I will carry you, M'Pherson, <br /> But the wager doesn't say a blessed word about yer clothes!" <br /> That was how the small M'Carty had M'Pherson by the nose!<br /><br />William Thomas Goodge<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/a-matter-of-knack/
