Vintage Colorado Poetry Poem of the Week Veterans' Day November 11, 2006
		When Pueblo's Damon Runyon enlisted to fight in the Spanish-American War, some say he was just fourteen while others say he was a grown eighteen. No matter, he did just fine.
	" Taking On " " Where you from an' also why -- " When you wuz young why didn't you die ? " Whose yer 'cestors anyway ? " D'ye know enough ter draw yer pay ? " Take this oath !  Hol' up yer han' -- " Now !  Yer a fust class fightin' man ! " Out at th' fort sez they ter me -- (Me, wot's just mustered in !) " We'll teach you things, you lubber ;  See ! (" Yer troubles jest begin. ") " Wot'd you do 'fore ?  Carry th' hod ? " Here !  You jine that awkward squad ! " Walk like this an' walk like that ! " Can't you see now where yer at ? " Lord !  Don't s'pose we ever can " Make you a fust class fightin' man ! " from The Tents of Trouble by Damon Runyon New York Desmond FitzGerald, Inc. Publishers Copyright, 1911 by Desmond FitzGerald, Inc.
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