The Story of Cole Younger Part 18

I never like to see a man a-wrestling with the dumps, 'Cause in the game of life he doesn't always catch the trumps, But I can always cotton to a free-and-easy cuss As takes his dose and thanks the Lord it wasn't any wuss.

There ain't no use of swearin' and cussin' at your luck, 'Cause you can't correct your troubles more than you can drown a duck.

Remember that when beneath the load your suffering head is bowed That G.o.d will sprinkle suns.h.i.+ne in the trail of every cloud.

If you should see a fellow man with trouble's flag unfurled, And lookin' like he didn't have a friend in all the world, Go up and slap him on the back and holler, "How'd you do?"

And grasp his hand so warm he'll know he has a friend in you, An' ask him what's a-hurtin' him, and laugh his cares away, An' tell him that the darkest hour is just before the day.

Don't talk in graveyard palaver, but say it right out loud, That G.o.d will sprinkle suns.h.i.+ne in the trail of every cloud.

This world at best is but a hash of pleasures and of pain; Some days are bright and sunny, and some are sloshed with rain; An' that's jes' how it ought to be, so when the clouds roll by We'll know jes' how to 'preciate the bright and smilin' sky.

So learn to take things as they come, and don't sweat at the pores Because the Lord's opinion doesn't coincide with yours; But always keep rememberin', when cares your path enshroud, That G.o.d has lots of suns.h.i.+ne to spill behind the cloud.

AN AFTERWARD

Since the foregoing was written I find that the publication of libels on myself and my dead brothers continues. The New York publishers of "five-cent-dreadfuls" are the worst offenders. One of them has published two books since my release from prison, in one of which my brothers and I are accused of the M., K. & T. train robbery at Big Springs, and in the other of the Chicago & Alton robbery at the Missouri Pacific crossing near Independence, Mo.

We had been in Stillwater prison nearly a year when the Big Springs robbery was committed, it being in September, 1877. I forget the date of the Alton robbery, but that branch of the Alton was not built until after we were sent to Stillwater, so we can not be reasonably accused of that.

For the portraits of my old guerrilla comrades, of whom authentic likenesses are, at this late day, hard to find, I am especially indebted to Mr. Albert Winner, of Kansas City, whose valuable collection of war pictures was kindly placed at my disposal.

COLE YOUNGER