Classic Poem

In the summer of sixty as you very well know
The excitement at Pike's Peak was then all the go;
Many went there with fortunes and spent what they had
And came back flat-busted and looking quite sad.

'Twas then I heard farming was a very fine branch,
So I spent most of my money in buying a ranch,
And when I got to it with sorrow and shame
I found a big miner had jumped my fine claim.

So I bought a revolver and swore I'd lay low
The very next fellow that treated me so;
I then went to Denver and cut quite a dash
And took extra pains to show off my cash.

With a fine span of horses, my wife by my side,
I drove through the streets with my hat on one side;
As we were agoin' past the old " Denver Hall "
Sweet music came out that did charm us all.

Says I, " Let's go in and see what's the muss
For I feel right now like having a fuss. "
There were tables strung over the hall,
Some was a-whirling a wheel with a ball.

Some playin' cards and some shakin' dice
And lots of half dollars that looked very nice;
I finally strayed to a table at last
Where all the poor suckers did seem to stick fast.

And there stood a man with cards in his hand,
And these were the words which he did command,
" Now, gents, the winning card is the ace,
I guess you will know it if I show you its face. "

One corner turned down, it's plain to be seen,
I looked at that fellow and thought he was green,
Yes I looked at that feller and thought he was green,
One corner turned down, 'twas so plain to be seen.

So I bet all my money and lo and behold!
'Twas a tray-spot of clubs and he took all my gold.
Then I went home and crawled into bed
And the divil a word to my wife ever said.

'Twas early next morning I felt for my purse
Biting my lips to keep down a curse;
Yes, 'twas early next morning as the sun did rise
You might have seen with your two blessed eyes,

In an ox wagon, 'twas me and my wife
Goin' down the Platte river for death or for life.