Robert W. Service, 'Bide-A-Wee'

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Bide-A-Wee

You've heard, may be, of Maw McGee
Who from Old Reckie came;
A lorn and lonely widder she,
And sorry for the same;
Who put her scanty savings in
A tiny shop for tea,
In Lucky Strike, that bed of sin,
And called it Bide-a-Wee.

The which is Scotch for Rest-A-While,
But somehow no one did,
And poor Maw with a sickly smile
Her woe and worry hid.
Her hand-made scones and cookies were
Forever growing stale,
For sourdoughs vinously aver
Tea's splendid - for the trail.

Then one day Montreal Maree,
In gaily passing by
Saw silver-haired old Maw McGee
Partaking of a cry.
So bold she breezed into the shop:
"I like your joint," says she:
"And every afternoon I'll stop
To have a cup of tea."

Right there she tuckered in with toast
And orange-pekoe brew;
Of shortbread that was Scotland's boast
She bought a pound or two.
Then to the dance-hall dolls she spoke:
"I sink zere ess no doubt
Zat poor ol' leddy she go broke:
We gotta help her out."

And so next day 'twas joy to see
Them babies bargin' in,
And Maw was busy as a bee
Amid the merry din.
And then the hooch-hounds lent their aid;
Said they: "It's jest like home."
Why, even spoonin' marmalade
Was Black Moran from Nome.

The Nugget bar was lonesome-like
From four to five each day,
And wondering was One-eyed Mike
What kept the boys away.
Says he: "Where are them sons o' guns?
I'll stroll the street to see."
When lo! he found them buying buns
In jam-packed Bide-a-Wee.

The boys looked sheepish, I'll allow,
As One-eyed Mike strolled in,
To see him kiss Maw on the brow
And greet her with a grin.
"Why, bless you, dear, give me a pot,
And make it strong," says he;
"Since Mother died I've quite forgot
The taste of home made tea."

So in the Camp of Lucky Strike
Maw sure has made the grade,
And patronized by One-eyed Mike
She plies a pretty trade.
To all the girls a mother's part
She plays, but oh how she
Is grateful for the golden heart
Of Montreal Maree!

By Robert W. Service

Comments

[med_cat]

Ah I see, hee ;) I don't think they had the same kind of dishes, etc. though ;))