"Git up, Punk"

Photo taken in 1899 on the Kreigh family farm outside Greencastle Indiana. From left to right: Nellie Walsh, Margaret Kreigh (Gertrude's mother), Nellie Griffin, William Kreigh (Gertrude's father), and Edith Gertrude Kreigh, i.e. the girl up front reading a book. (Click on photo to enlarge)


Con't from previous entry on 9 March, 1942, where Mago recalls memories of her Grandfather Kreigh's old yellow horse named Punkin:

I meant to tell about the jingle. I've called the (one can't call it verse and be consistent) jingle:

"Punkin"

Stephen has a little mule
His color is like clay
And what can be the use of him
I fear no one can say.
He has a grin from ear to ear
Expression, oh, so bland!
You know he's up to mischief
Some deviltry long planned.
He plants his feet and shows his teeth
And not an inch will budge
It matters not how much you coax
Nor if his ribs you nudge
He jumps a fence six feet or more.
Kicks over all the traces
Then looks at you and blinks
To get back in your graces

He's "stubborn as a little mule"
But he can be so sweet
When you strup on the feedbag
And say, "Here, Punk, let's eat."
This silly little Punkin mule
Has ears quite large and floppy
And, blest Pat, If I don't think he is
A wee bit like your Moppy [Moppy is another nickname for Mago]