THE LITTLE DOFFER by EDWIN WAUGH

A merry little doffer lad
Coom down to Shapper's mill,
To see if he could get a shop;
He said his name wur "Bill".

"Bill what, my lad?" th' o'erlooker said;
"Arto co'de nought beside?"
"Oh, yigh," said th' lad; "they co'n me things-
Sometimes,-at's bad to bide!"

"But what's thi faither's name, my lad?
Thou'll surely tell me that!"
Said th' lad, "Some co'n him 'Apple Dad',-
His gradely name's 'Owd Hat'."

"My uncle Joe's co'de 'Flopper Chop'!
An' sometimes 'Owd Betide' !
They co'n him thoose at th' weighvin'-shops;
An' I know nought beside."

Said th' o'erlooker, "I know owd Joe,-
He weighvs for Billy Grime;
But, what dun they co' thee, my lad,
When they co'n atdinner-time?"

Th' lad grinned an' said, "They never han
Toco' methen,-nofear!"
Said th' o'erlooker, "How's that, my lad?"
Said th' lad, "I'm al'ays theer!"

"My lad, thou looks a lively cowt;
Keen as a cross-cut saw;
Shortyure, sharpteeth, atwinklin' e'e
An' a little hungry maw!

"But wheer hasto bin wortchin' at?
What's brought tho downour way?"
Said th' lad, "I wortched for Tommy Platt;
He's gan me th' bag, today."

"Thou's brought thi character, I guess?"
Says th' lad, "Yo're wrang, I doubt;"
Says th' o'erlooker to th' lad, "How's this?"
Says th' lad, "I'm better bowt!"

Said th' o'erlooker, "I never see
Sich a whelp sin I wur born!
But, I'll try what I can make o' thee:
Come to thi wark tomorn!"