Bad Luck

Once a rabbit crossed my road     When I went to see my aunt;     And another time a toad     Hopped right in my way. You can't     Kill toads, for that makes it rain,     And would spoil your day again.     But the rabbit if I could     I'd have killed him. For one day     Once a boy he told me, "Should     A wild rabbit cross your way,     Look out for bad luck that is,     If your fingers ain't cross-criss."     But if I had shot him dead     I'd not been unlucky; no;     And not fallen out of bed     That same night; or stumped my toe     Playing"I Spy"; nor the string     Broken when I went to swing.     Talk about bad luck! I guess     That old rabbit brought it. Well;     Maudie had on her new dress,     And I pushed her, and she fell     In a creek-hole, where you're bound     To get wet so Maudie found.     I I pulled her out that is,     Buddie helped me. Bud's a boy     Who was fishing there. And Liz,     Maud's old nurse, she took my toy,     My toy-whip, and she was mad     Whipped my legs and called me bad.     Then she said Maud might have drowned;     And the creek was full of"dumb     Pollywogs and snakes "; a sound     Whipping just might help me some:     Maybe Maud would catch a cold     And my mother should be told.     No, sir. I don't want to see     Any rabbits anyways     Cross my road. Why, gemenie!     (That's a swear-word Maudie says)     If I saw one only one,     I would turn and run and run.