El Dorado, 1851.
I've jest bin down ter Thompson's, boys, 'N' feelin' kind o' blue, I thought I'd look in at " The Ranch," Ter find out what wuz new, When I seen this sign a-hangin' On a shanty by the lake: "Here's vvhar yer gets yer doughnuts Like yer mother used ter make." I've seen a grizzly show his teeth; I've seen Kentucky Pete Draw out his shooter V advise A " tenderfoot" ter treat; But nuthin' ever tuk me down, 'N' made my benders shake, Like that sign about the doughnuts Like my mother used ter make. A sort o' mist shut out the ranch, 'N' standin' thar instead I seen an old white farm-house, With its doors all painted red. A whiff came through the open door— Wuz I sleepin' or awake? The smell wuz that of doughnuts Like my mother used ter make.
The bees wuz hummin' round the porch
Whar honeysuckles grew; A yellow dish of apple sass Wuz sittin' thar in view; 'N' on the table by the stove An old-time "johnny-cake," 'N' a platter full of doughnuts Like my mother used ter make. A patient form I seemed ter see, In tidy dress of black; almost thought I heard the words, "When will my boy come back?" 'N' then—the old sign creaked; But now it wuz the boss who spake, " Here's whar yer gets yer doughnuts Like yer mother used ter make." Well, boys, that kind o' broke me up, 'N' ez I've "struck pay gravel," I ruther think I'll pack my kit, Vamose the ranch, 'u' travel. I'll make the old folks jubilant, 'N', ef I don't mistake, I'll try some o' them doughnuts Like my mother used ter make.
