"What is it, Jimmie?" asked Morton. "Well, kin I have it?" "You can have anything I can give you, my boy; but what is it?" "I want der gospel wagon and white horses fer picnic day." "Now, what in the world do you want with a thing like that?" asked Morton. "Didn't yer say dat everybody was invited ter der picnic?" asked Jimmie. "Yes, that's what I said." "Well, I want ter take der Bucktown gang what can't go dere by demselves, and I want der wagon ter haul 'em. Der's more 'an twenty of 'em 'at can't go dere in street cars. Der's one-winged Bob, Hump Rumpord, Goosefoot Sus, Stumpie-der-shine, Nigger Mose, Hop Hawkins, Blind Billy, der pianer player at Dolly's, 'sides those nigger kids of Griffin's 'at's been sick all winter, and 'sides, Mrs. Rollins says Swipsey can go wid me if I'll take care of 'im. He near died wid der dipteria and he's just gittin' over it." "Well, can you run such an excursion, if I get a good man to drive the team?" said Morton. "Kin 'er duck swim? 'Course I kin run her. Kin I have her?" asked Jimmie. "Yes, you may have them and we will help you in every way we can," said Morton. "How's Dave Beach getting on?" "Gee, he's under construction. He's mad at everybody, drinks like er fish and swears ter beat der cars," said Jimmie. "You mean that he is under conviction," said Morton. "Well, what ever she is, Dave can't swaller 'er an' she's near choking him." The day of the picnic was warm and bright, a great crowd was there with lunch baskets, and every one was in the best of humor. Thirty minutes after the cars reached the park, Jimmie's excursion came. The white horses were covered with foam and never did they seem so proud as they danced and pranced up the steep hill to the park. Jimmie stood on the back step and was as proud as the team. Bill Cook lifted Swipsey from the wagon and placed him in a hammock. Jimmie introduced his load as "der bunch." "When do we eat, Hump?" asked Bob. "I dunno. I hope mighty soon. Jimmie says it's goin' to be swell." "Wonder what dey'll have. Did yer see any of der stuff?" asked Hop. "Nope, but I hope they have pie an' soup an' cake wid raisins in it. Say, Mose, which you'd rather have, sweet potates and possum or watermelon an' 'lasses?" "Hush yuh business, man! Hush, yuh business! I'd drop dead suh, if I'd see a possum. Who said watahmelon? Look yah, man, I ain't had no pokchop foh moh 'an a week. Hush, man! I can't stan' no foolin' 'bout such impotent mattahs." When dinner was announced Morton gave orders to have Jimmie with "der bunch" sit at the first table. He told the young ladies who waited upon them to give them everything they wanted. The first things that were passed to them were several plates of ham sandwiches. "Please, how many kin I have of 'em, missus?" asked Hump. "You can have all you want of them; help yourself," replied the lady.