ALL WAS UP with Richard Tanner-
-Wait-a-Bit- we called him. Dead?
Yes. The braceman dropped a spanner,
Landed Richard on the head;
Cracked his skull, sir, like a teacup,
Down the pump-shaft in the well.
Braceman hadn-t time to speak up,
Tanner never knew what fell.

Tell the widow? Who-d go through it?
No one on the shift would stir;
But Pat Ryan said he-d do it-
-Nately break the news to her.-
Pat-s a splitter, and a kinder
Heart I never wish to know.
Stephens told him where to find her,
Begged him gently deal the blow.

In a very solemn manner
Ryan met the dead man-s wife-
-Mornin- to yez, Widdy Tanner!-
Says he gravely, -Such is life!-
-I-m no widow!- says she, prying
For the joke in Ryan-s eye.
--Scuse me, mum,- says Paddy, sighing,
--Scuse me, mum, but that-s a lie.-

-That remark would be repented
If Dick Tanner heard,- says she.
-Meanin-, mum, the late lamented
Party av that name?- says he.
Still the widow missed the notion,
Wonder only filled her eye;
So Pat smothered his emotion,
Gulped, and had another try.

--Tis like this, ye see, me honey,
I-ve been sint t- let ye know
Ye-ve inherited some money-
Twilve -r fifteen pounds -r so.
Through a schame av Providence-s,
Which no mortal man could dodge;
Poor Dick-s funeral expenses
Have fell due, mum, at the lodge!-