THE VILLAGE CHAMPIONS 71
“ Well, mister, that’s the facs as seen
Ten year ago come Chris’mas day,
An’ so our villidge always been
- The leadin’ villidge down our way ;
But Billy Stokes ’ull always ’ave
A ruin’ stummick to ’is grave.
“ An’ when ’e tell the story now,
’"E seem to gasp fur want of breath—
Yes, mister, Sawbones ses as ’ow
’E wean’t be better till ’is death ;
‘Unto ’is grave,’ ’e ses, ses ’e,
‘A ruin’ stummick’s what ’e be!’”