How Salty Win Out

By Eugene Field

Narrative Poem
    I used to think that luck wuz luck and nuthin' else but luck--     It made no diff'rence how or when or where or why it struck;     But sev'ral years ago I changt my mind, an' now proclaim     That luck's a kind uv science--same as any other game;     It happened out in Denver in the spring uv '80 when     Salty teched a humpback an' win out ten.     Salty wuz a printer in the good ol' Tribune days,     An', natural-like, he fell into the good ol' Tribune ways;     So, every Sunday evenin' he would sit into the game     Which in this crowd uv thoroughbreds I think I need not name;     An' there he'd sit until he rose, an', when he rose, he wore     Invariably less wealth about his person than before.     But once there came a powerful change; one sollum Sunday night     Occurred the tidal wave that put ol' Salty out o' sight.     He win on deuce an' ace an' Jack--he win on king an' queen--     Clif Bell allowed the like uv how he win wuz never seen.     An' how he done it wuz revealed to all us fellers when     He said he teched a humpback to win out ten.     There must be somethin' in it, for he never win afore,     An' when he told the crowd about the humpback, how they swore!     For every sport allows it is a losin' game to luck     Agin the science uv a man who's teched a hump f'r luck;     And there is no denyin' luck wuz nowhere in it when     Salty teched a humpback an' win out ten.     I've had queer dreams an' seen queer things, an' allus tried to do     The thing that luck apparently intended f'r me to;     Cats, funerils, cripples, beggers have I treated with regard,     An' charity subscriptions have hit me powerful hard;     But what's the use uv talkin'? I say, an' say again:     You've got to tech a humpback to win out ten!     So, though I used to think that luck wuz lucky, I'll allow     That luck, for luck, agin a hump aint nowhere in it now!     An' though I can't explain the whys an' wherefores, I maintain     There must be somethin' in it when the tip's so straight an' plain;     For I wuz there an' seen it, an' got full with Salty when     Salty teched a humpback an' win out ten!

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Poem Details

Language: English
Keywords: Public Domain
Source: Public Domain Collection
Rights/Permissions: Public Domain
Analysis & Notes:
This poem offers a light-hearted yet thought-provoking exploration of the nature of luck and superstition. The narrative style, peppered with a rich vernacular, creates a lively and relatable tone, at once humorous and insightful. Throughout the piece, there is a clear thematic focus on the interplay between luck, skill, and superstition, questioning the validity of each within the context of games of chance.

The poem's structure, a series of loosely rhymed quatrains, supports the conversational, storytelling tone. The poet uses repetition effectively, particularly in the recurring phrase, "teched a humpback an' win out ten", which serves to underscore the speaker's growing belief in the power of superstition over blind luck. The use of colloquial language and vernacular style injects a sense of authenticity, grounding the poem's somewhat whimsical theme in real-world experience.

Notably, the poet uses the character of 'Salty' as a catalyst for change, his unexpected win serving as a turning point in the speaker's understanding of luck. This shift from skepticism to belief is effectively portrayed through the gradual change in the speaker's language and attitude towards the concept of luck. By the end of the poem, the speaker is convinced that luck is not a random occurrence but rather a controllable force, a conclusion that leads to a clever and thought-provoking inversion of the conventional wisdom surrounding luck and superstition. Overall, the poem is a delightful and engaging exploration of human belief in luck and the sometimes irrational behaviors it inspires.

Exploring Narrative Poetry

Narrative poetry is a form of poetry that tells a story, often making use of the voices of a narrator and characters as well. Unlike lyric poetry, which focuses on emotions and thoughts, narrative poetry is dedicated to storytelling, weaving tales that captivate readers through plot and character development.

Narrative poems are unique in their ability to combine the depth of storytelling with the expressive qualities of poetry. Here are some defining characteristics:

  • Structured Plot: Narrative poems typically have a clear beginning, middle, and end, following a plot that might involve conflict, climax, and resolution, much like a short story or novel.
  • Character Development: Characters in narrative poems are often well-developed, with distinct voices and personalities that drive the story forward.
  • Descriptive Language: The language used in narrative poetry is vivid and descriptive, painting a clear picture of the scenes and events, while also conveying the emotions and atmosphere of the story.

From ancient epics like "The Iliad" and "The Odyssey" to more modern narrative poems, this form continues to engage readers by blending the art of storytelling with the beauty and rhythm of poetry.