_Their work was done when it 'adn't begun, they was younger nor me an
you;
Their choice it was plain between drownin in 'eaps an bein mashed by
the screw,
An' they stood an' was still to the "Birken'ead" drill, soldier an
sailor too_!
We're most of us liars, we're 'arf of us thieves, an' the rest are as
rank as can be,
But once in a while we can finish in style (which I 'ope it won't
'appen to me);
But it makes you think better o' you an' your friends an' the work you
may 'ave to do
When you think o' the sinkin' "Victorier's" Jollies--soldier an' sailor
too.
_Now there isn't no room for to say you don't know--they 'ave settled
it plain and true--
That whether it's Widow or whether it's ship, Victorier's work is to
do,
As they done it, the Jollies--'er Majesty's Jollies--soldier an sailor
too_!
[Illustration]
RACHEL.
BY MRS. E.V. WILSON,
AUTHOR OF "BARBARY," "A BLIZZARD," AND OTHER STORIES.
It was the middle of a short December afternoon. From the scholars in
the little log school-house in the Stillman district rose a buzzing
sound as they bent over their desks, intent on books or mischief, as
the case might be. The teacher, a good-looking young man of twenty or
thereabouts, was busy with a class in arithmetic when a shrill voice
called out:
"Teacher, Rachel Stillman's readin' a story-book.
Pages:
179
180
181
182
183
184
185
186
187
188
189
190
191
192
193
194
195
196
197
198
199
200
201
202
203