Classic Poem

The tar-boy looked perpiexed to see
Tom Dawson cut the skin,
And Sweeper Bill remarked that he
Had nothing for the bin.

His eyes for want of sleep were red,
And slow his shears did click,
And whispers went around the shed
That Dawson's wife was sick.

Then kindly spoke old Daddy Tonk:
" Don't look so glum, my lad;
Is she, your missus, very cronk? "
" Yes, mate, " said Tom, " she's — bad. "

" Are there no women on the place?
There should be two or three. "
" There are, but in my poor wife's case
They say they're " all at sea." "

" Then bring a doctor, " Daddy said;
" Don't let the woman die! "
But Tommy Dawson hung his head
And made him no reply.

" Get Pile to come out if you can,
He'll pull the missus through.
Spend all you have to save her, man,
I would if I were you. "

Then Dawson looked up from the ground,
And white his features grew:
" Look, mate! If you had not a pound
Now tell me what you'd do? "

" What would it cost them, now, to send
And fetch out Dr. Pile?
Some of the men the cash would lend. "
Tom groaned, " A pound a mile. "

" That's stiff, by God! " said Monty Styles,
" The doctor does it brown;
There's sixty-five, I know, good miles
Between us and the town. "

" It is a " coo-ey" with her now, "
Said Dawson, in despair.
" I cannot save her anyhow —
I'm euchred everywhere. "

Then up sprang Maon, on the job —
" Here, look, see! There's my quid.
And here, look, see! So help me bob!
There's two from Dick and Syd. "

And in his hat the money fell
From willing hands and free.
" A quid a mile, " said Barney Bell;
" Here goes! I'll give yer three. "

The Boss said, " Put me down for ten,
And catch the blood mare, Ted —
And put her in the sulky then —
Don't wait till she is fed.

" Now, wire the doctor, quick, to come,
And meet me mile for mile;
And, Tommy, man, hold up, old chum. "
(Poor Tommy tried to smile.)

The squatter lit his pipe with care
And drew his chin-strap in,
Then took his seat and touched the mare
And started for the spin.

Then slow the hours of night went by
To those around the shed,
For not a man had closed an eye
Not one had gone to bed.

" She's sinking now, " the women said,
" She can't much longer last;
Before an hour she will be dead,
Her strength is failing fast. "

" I'll go and let the sliprails down, "
The black boy slowly said,
For far along the road to town
He heard a horse's tread.

Then everyone sprang up and bent
A watchful eye and ear.
And soon the boss a " coo-ey " sent
To show that he was near.

Then in the middle of the night
The blood mare, limping, came
All tucked and blown, and wet and white,
And panting hard, but game.

The doctor quick and silently
Then with the women went,
And very soon a baby's cry
Was heard in Dawson's tent.

" Thank God, " he said, " My work is done, "
As Tommy's hand he pressed;
" I've saved your wife and little son,
Let Nature do the rest. "

And then they went into the shed —
The men and Dr. Pile —
And drank his health in Queensland red,
And paid him — pound for mile.