Contents -Volume INDEX -AUTHOR INDEX -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Stedman and Hutchinson, comps. A Library of American Literature:
An Anthology in Eleven Volumes. 1891.
Vols. IX–XI: Literature of the Republic, Part IV., 1861–1889

The Lay of Dan’l Drew

By Charles Henry Webb (1834–1905)

IT was a long lank Jerseyman,

And he stoppeth one of two:

“I ain’t acquaint in these here parts;

I’m a-lookin’ for Dan’l Drew.

“I’m a lab’rer in the Vinnard;

My callin’ I pursue

At the Institoot at Madison,

That was built by Dan’l Drew.

“I’m a lab’rer in the Vinnard;

My worldly wants are few;

But I want some pints on these here sheers—

I’m a-lookin’ for Dan’l Drew.”

Again I saw that laborer,

Corner of Wall and New;

He was looking for a ferry-boat,

And not for Daniel Drew.

Upon his back he bore a sack

Of stuff that men eschew;

Some yet moist scrip was in his grip,

A little “Waybosh” too.

He plain was long of old R. I.,

And short of some things “new.”

There was never another laborer

Got just such “pints” from Drew.

At the ferry-gate I saw him late,

His white cravat askew,

A-paying his fare with a registered share

Of stock “preferred”—by Drew.

And these words came back from the Hackensack,

“If you want to gamble a few,

Just get in your paw at a game of Draw,

But don’t take a hand at DREW!”