_Martha Stubbs_. "HE DOESN'T KNOW HIMSELF, MY LADY. HE'S SUCH A POOR
IGNORANT CREATURE!"]

* * * * *

BURNING WORDS.

(_FROM A WORKING MAN._)

["How many of you men would contribute to a Working Men's Fund
the shilling you put on _Orme_, who, by the way, I am sorry
to see was not poisoned to death."--_Mr. John Burns in the
Park._]

Look 'ere, JOHN, you stow it; you're nuts on the spoutin';
I don't mind a man as can 'oller a bit;
And if shillings are goin', I'd back you for shoutin',
Though your game's an Aunt Sally, all miss and no 'it.
But the blusterin' chap as keeps naggin' the boys on
To fight and get beat all for nothing's an ass.
And I'm certain o' this, that the wust kind o' poison
Is the stuff as you fellers 'ave lots of--that's gas!

What's _Orme_ done to you? _'E_ can't 'elp a cove bettin'.
To get at 'im for that is a trifle too warm.
And poisonin' racers ain't _my_ kind o' vettin'.
I likes a good 'orse, so 'ere's 'ealth to old _Orme_.
Take a bolus yourself, it might stop you from roarin';
There's nothin' like tryin' these games on yourself!
And I'll throw BENNY TILLETT and one or two more in,