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And hadn't hardly a word to say.
But his whistle sounded a kind o' weak,
So I just thought it was time to speak.
Says I to him, and I spoke real gruff,
"You've stood this cold just long enough.
There ain't no sense in trudging about
When I can sell your papers out,
For I don't mind this sort of a storm,
So you skip home, and try to get warm."
And I strove to take his papers away,
But Joe held on, and declared he'd stay.
And it looked as though we were having a fight,
When a jolly old gentleman came in sight,
And called to me in a threatening tone,
"I say, let that little chap alone."
Then Joe spoke up, right pert and smart,
So eager was he to take my part.
And when the old gentleman understood,
That I was bullying him for his good,
And that Joe and I were the best of friends,
He seemed real anxious to make amends,
For having thought that I would fight
Such a wee little chap on such a night.
And he said he'd give us lads a treat,
"If we would follow him down the street
To a big restaurant he knew,
We both should have an oyster stew."
Well, Joe and I were so surprised,

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