- (t BLUE AND GOLD OF CALIF. LIBRARY, LOS ANGELES BLUE AND GOLD WILLIAM S. LORD AUTHOR OF "JINGLE AND JANGLE," "BEST SHORT POEMS," ETC. CHICAGO NEW YORK TORONTO FLEMING H. REVELL COMPANY 1900 . >\ Copyright, 1895, By WILLIAM S. LORD. All rights reserved. BLUE AND GOLD. I ITTLE Two Years Old, my son, l^t Life for you has just begun; Dew is fresh upon the grass All along the way you pass; Every blade your dear feet press Gives a gentle, cool caress. Violets and buttercups Chronicle your downs and ups. Blue and gold, and gold and blue, Seemeth all the world to you. Little Two Years Old, too soon You will know the heat of noon. Dust along your path will lie, And the grass be sere and dry. Every blade will give a thrust, Cry and urge, ' You must I You must ! ' Rose of flame with cruel thorn Best will tell the sweet pain borne. Red and brown, and brown and red, Seems the world the sun o'erhead. v. 2131795 Little Two Years Old, the light Softens when you say 'good-night.' Sweet the journey will be when You are almost home again. Every footstep brings you near Faces, voices, long held dear. Gentian blue and golden-rod Lead you onward up to God. Blue and gold, and gold and blue So the world will be to you. CONTENTS. PAGB THE SONNET 9 1 TOWARD A FAB LAND ' 10 EVERNKSS 11 THE BALLADE OF BRAVE MEN 12 THE INVITATION 14 A LYRIC 16 WATER LILIES 17 THE DRINKING FOUNTAIN 18 A WINTER SONG 21 ACROSS THE SEA 22 To A DREAMER 23 TREACHERY 24 THE MARCH WIND 25 SORROW IN SUMMER 27 LOVE A PRISONER 28 UNSAID 29 LOVE is DEAD 30 THE MUSICIAN 32 LOVE'S ANSWER 33 CONSTANCY 34 SONG 35 WORDS FOR RUBINSTEIN'S MELODY 36 IN MAYTIME 37 RHYME-BLOOM 38 RECOMPENSE 40 IN SIGHT 41 TRANSITION 42 SEPTEMBER THE TWENTY-FIFTH 43 A SUMMER MORNING 44 VACATION . , 45 (Content!*. FAOE LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY 46 PROFESSOR DAVID SWING 47 THE COUNTRY SCHOOL 48 SLEEP 50 IN DREAMLAND 51 SPANISH LULLABY 52 SWINGING TO DREAMLAND . 53 MOTHER, MOON, AND STARS 54 HEIGH-HO! MY LADDIE, O! 55 SUPPOSE 56 MY RIVAL 58 DORCHESTER AND DOROTHY 60 CHRISTMAS is COMING 62 MOTHER GOOSE 64 GRANDMOTHER'S SWEETHEART 66 RHYME OF THE COVERLET 68 TICK-TOOK LULLABY 69 NAUTICAL NED 70 LITTLE ELIZABETH 72 ALONE WITH THE BABY 74 SWINGING SONG 76 STUMBLE TOE 78 THE WIND'S SONG IN THE TREE-TOP 80 DREAMING AND DOING 85 SUBURBAN SILHOUETTES. A BALLADE OF CO-OPERATIVE COOKING 87 THE DOCTOR'S RIDE 89 THE FROG POND 92 THE 'FEM. SEM.' GIRL 94 LINDY 96 THE Kiss 99 How THE OTHER HALF LIVE 100 DON'T 102 AUNT MARY . . 104 BLUE AND GOLD. THE SONNET. 'THE room encircling Milton's mighty woe Will ne'er give echo to my feeble cry ; The Grasmere Cottage, with the brook near by, Where Wordsworth chanted, I shall never know ; The home where Shakespeare lived so long ago May prison glories caught from his bright eye More gorgeous than the glow of sunset sky For me in vain such matchless wonders show. But mark ! there is a little splendid space Shut in by walls the same to-day as when It knew the presence of these marvellous men, And I may pause in that enchanted place : What trumpet tones, what whisperings of delight, The Sonnet holds to gladden day and night ! anU (goto. ' TOWARD A FAR LAND.' 'TOWARD a far land, whose dream - discovered shore Our hearts do hope for, we are sailing on ; The way is dark, and mutinous thoughts, anon, Protest against the voyage, and implore The master, Faith, to search the sea no more For unknown lands. We soon are set upon By winds and waves of doubt, that make us con The awful vastness of what lies before. But oh, my brothers ! bear abounding trust, And fearless Faith will doubting crew dismay : So was Columbus tried by thoughts unjust Who found a world, while seeking for a way That would be shorter, from Spain's heat and dust, To the fair gardens of far-famed Cathay ! 10 Blue ant) (goto. EVERNESS. \X7HAT of the land, and what of the sea, And what of the sky bending over ? What is the message they 're bringing to thee In language of cloud, wave, and clover ? The cloud melts and scatters, and lost in the sea Is the wave in its mighty endeavor ; The sweets of the clover belong to the bee, But sea, land, and sky are forever. 11 Blue ant) alb. BALLADE OF BRA VE MEN. A SONG for the men so true, The sailors of sunken ships, The sport of the winds that blew, Devoured by the waves' white lips. There, where the seagull dips, There, 'neath the sky so blue, There, where the schoolboy strips Brave men, there is rest for you. A song for the shipwrecked crew, The men of the docks and slips, Propelled by a sail or screw You made many perilous trips ; With the canvas torn to strips, Before the gale you flew ; No more the wild wind whips Brave men, there is rest for you. A song for the men too few For nature so few equips 12 Blue ant) (Solo. Who drink that awful brew That only a brave man sips. The stanchest of ships are chips : No power can the sea subdue. No longer the cold spray drips Brave men, there is rest for you. ENVOY. Dear friend, every true soul tips To bravery when in view ; Where never a chill wind nips, Brave men, there is rest for you. 13 anfc INVITATION. \A7HEN April sets her seal upon The year, and 'twixt the showers The truant sun returns at last To bless the budding flowers; When skies are dappled, softest blue With flecks of softest gray, And those who love the greening wood May tread the woodland way; When earth seems new, fresh from the hand Of God, and strangely bright ; And winds no longer pinch or chill, But stir us with delight ; When mating birds begin their lay, And make the season's plans ; When all are winged architects Instead of artisans ; 14 23lue anfc (goto. Then let us stray together where, Shut out from worldly din, We may surprise the secrets hid The mother's heart within. Dear Nature woos us to her breast, Would have us babes again, And I, for one, am ready, friend 'Tis milk to nourish men. 15 A LYRIC. A LYRIC, miss, Is the muse's kiss. Brief and sweet, Yet complete As a smile on a face. Or a bit of lace, Or a turn of wit; It, Ywis, Is neat As a Grecian vase. A single star On a silver bar ; Or a drop of dew With a sunbeam through ; The flash of a stream Where gold sands beam, Put in a song, Long, And far, For you In a lyric gleam. 1C Blue anfc WATER LILIES. T TPON the surface of the river lie White water lilies; left to drift they seem, Yet changing winds and currents they defy. So may my faith, deep-rooted, rest secure Upon the surface of life's running stream, And every change of circumstance endure. 17 Blue anti oto. THE DRINKING FOUNTAIN. LJERE in the midst of a city street, Worn by the tread of a million feet, Day by day I sing my song, Never heard by the hurrying throng. Man and beast, as they stop to drink, Have no time on my song to think. Still I sing as a minstrel may: One may harken and hear some day. High on a mountain once I dwelt ; Heaven's winds were all I felt; Mirrored in my bosom bright Day by day the 'king of light,' Night by night the ' starry hosts ' All the grandeur heaven boasts, Storm and cloud and mountain peak, Nothing idle, aimless, weak; Calm and cool and clear I stood Thinking all was grand and good. 18 Blue ant Once a stranger passing by Told of how his fellows die : How for want of my cool wave Men were dying, good, and brave; Little children ; beast and bird : And I treasured every word ; Pondered them for many a day; Longed at last to break away From my fastness, lone and high, Bearing life to those who die. Down the mountain-side I slid ; In the forest depths I hid ; Rippled over stones and sands ; Touched the edge of pleasant lands, Murmuring as I slipped along Ever some soul-cheering song; Giving life and quenching thirst, Till my heart seemed like to burst With the joys at my dispense Like another Providence. And at last I reached the town, Where the sun's rays beating down Parched and shriveled everything Leaf and pauper, beast and king. 19 Blue ant oft. Here at morn and eve I play, Taking pain of thirst away ; Giving free as I used to take; Joy is mine in the joy I make; Happier far am I than when Strange were the faces of beasts and men. 20 Blue antJ A WINTER SONG. LJERE in the north the snow lies deep; The winds are keen with an edge that bites ; The days are short and long the nights ; And all that is gentle is dead or asleep. Afar in the south the sunshine falls ; The winds blow soft with a lover-like kiss ; And all of the summer I fondly miss Is awake and out of the distance calls. Blue anli ACROSS THE SEA. A CROSS the sea your verses came From that dear land where Shakespeare's flame Was kindled into such a glow All other bards like fireflies show Mere sparks, but sparks of light the same. Do poets there still hope for fame? Where Burns and Keats oh, I can name So many whose sweet songs still blow Across the sea! Yes, still they hope ; and who shall blame Their courage, or their song defame, When such clear notes from your pipe flow? The muse loves English soil, I know And would, if only your song came Across the sea. 22 Blue ant TO ^ DREAMER. A FTER many an idle day, Dreamer, hasten you away. Build a house to baffle woe : Winds of winter when they blow Like a lash will strike and sting ; Bees are ever busying ; While you indolently dream Hear the constant running stream. Yonder, in the marsh, a pool, Like the dead eye of a ghoul, Glitters and profanes the sky To the noisome things that lie In its depths of pestilence. Go ; and as you journey hence May your fondest dreams come true. All the Ages counsel you. 23 23Iue ant) TREACHERY. [The two-year-old son of Capt. Lawrence O. Lawson, of the United States Life Saving Station at Evanston, 111., was drowned within sight of his home while playing on the lake shore.] Storm. 'THE seething surf, the angry sea he braves To rescue in his life-boat men of brawn, Who else would perish. Set of sun, or dawn, Finds him prepared to battle warring waves. Calm. O treacherous sea, to fling a flag of truce, And take a noble foeman unawares ! To seize his child, the sum of hopes and prayers, When all was calm to watch thee little use. Blue antJ (0lti. THE MARCH WIND. Q MAKCH wind, What is it grieves thee to despair? Have you sinned That furies seek thee everywhere? Not so ; I have lost my little ones dear ; I covered them softly with robe of white And left them alone of a winter night. The moon I left burning and little stars bright Oh, kind souls hear ! I left them alone, without a fear, Tucked snugly into their soft warm bed, Then off on an errand of joy I sped, And now they are gone and I wish I were dead Oh, kind souls hear ! I am seeking them everywhere, far and near, And my sighing and crying and shrieking must 25 Blue anfc oft. At last make them hear as I come with a gust And wearing a veil of blinding dust Oh, kind souls hear ! The March wind thus her story told ; A mortal may the rest unfold. Her sad soul, weary of searching vain, At last grew still. Then fell a rain Of tears, and tears sweet April showers: And then she smiled and found May flowers Her little ones dear, awake again. 26 Blue antj olU. SORROW IN SUMMER. THE glad green hills uprise to sadden me ; The happy sunlit vales I see through tears ; The laughter-loving brooks offend my ears With mirthful music; every gleeful tree That claps its myriad hands in jollity The spectre of some dear, dead joy appears ; The dancing sunbeams mock unnumbered fears , Though soft the winds, they blow full bitterly. The mask of gladness Nature gaily wears No more deceives the eyes made clear by grief ; I know the chill her secret bosom bears, Nor Summer's warmth, nor Beauty, brings relief: As cold and white and pure as drifted snow My love 's asleep the smiling sod below. 27 Blue anfc oft. .4 PRISONER. /^\NE day Love came. I welcomed him. As tenant of this house of clay I bade him stay. I set him in a room apart The inmost chamber of my heart. For servants, at his beck and call, My senses all, While hands and feet His will obey with joy complete. Out of the windows he can gaze On pleasant days, But when it rains the panes are dim It's smiles or tears because of him That fill my eyes ; Yet, always, he's a sweet surprise! My prisoner now, I '11 keep him so, This one-time guest ; Should he escape me, high and low I'd go in quest. That darkened chamber, my poor heart, Would be a tomb should he depart. 28 Blue anfc oft. UNSAID. C WEET is the honey the bee hath stored, Hived for a winter day ; But sweeter than all of the precious hoard The drops that were spilled in May. Fair the rose in the garden grows, Queen of the lovely band ; But fairer the flower that never knows The touch of the gardener's hand. Words of love are honey sweet, Each word is a flower full fair ; But fairer and sweeter, than speech completer, The thoughts that love doth dare. 29 Blue ant) (Soil). LOVE IS DEAD. MOAN, ye wind, moan, oh, moan, (Fog o' th' fen and salt o' th' sea), Toss ye the trees till they groan, (Fog o' th' fen and salt o' th' sea). Love is dead, Tears are shed, Hope has fled ; Dole ye a dirge with me. Where have they buried him, wind? (Fog o' th' fen and salt o' th' sea), Search through the world till ye find, (Fog o' th' fen and salt o' th' sea). Now quick and now slow, Above and below, Away let us go ! Where he is buried lay me. Blue anli Gone is the sweet o' th' rose, (Fog o' th' fen and salt o' th' sea), Where it is he only knows, (Fog o' th' fen and salt o' th' sea). The skies are not blue, Nor sparkles the dew, All hearts are untrue Naught but the salt o' th' sea ! 31 Blue anfc MUSICIAN. some great master lets his soul go free On wings of music, which beat silent air Until a rose tint blushes everywhere, And heaven is bursting with the melody ; Or when a Patti, or a Gerster, sings, And ears are lips which drink the liquid sound Until the soul in music's spell is bound, And life forgot, with all the care it brings ; Then have I thought no greater art could be ; Though I should live for ages, and should hear The best that ever came to mortal ear, No sounds more sweet would ever visit me. And yet, dear heart, thy hand, love-taught, just now Woke sweeter music laid upon my brow. 32 Blue anto LOVE'S ANSWER. lips and hands Love answereth- *T is ' aye ' and f aye ' and never ' nay. How will it be some other day ? What will Love's answer be to Death? The same quick answer to the end, For Love can see where we are blind And knows that Death is only kind To immortality a friend. 33 Blue an* CONSTANCY. IF Age should set his finger on her brow And write November on her May-day face; Should rob her form of all its lovely grace, And turn to silver locks so raven now; Should dim her lustrous eyes and disallow Her ears all hearing ; should destroy, efface, All things that in her memory have place, And so with life alone her frame endow, I still would love her, still her servant be, And strive to merit by my constancy The place she gives me in her heart to-day. To there abide in such a perfect way A life of changeless love would leave to me A debt to her which I could never pay. 34 23Iue anfc SONG. MIGHT shadows o'er the earth are falling, The birds their good-night carols calling, The twinkling stars in heaven appearing Have filled me with sweet thoughts endearing, Dear love, of thee. My heart, like night, o'er thee is brooding, My thoughts in love songs are intruding, Like stars my hopes in heaven are shining, My heart, my thoughts, my hopes inclining, Dear love, to thee. The day will dawn, the stars will vanish ; Be not the sun my hopes to banish ! Be thou my day, my sweet to-morrow, Bringing much joy and naught of sorrow, Dear love, with thee. 35 ant) (Soft. WORDS FOE RUBINSTEIN'S MELODY. ' T LOVE thee, I love thee,' my heart ever cries ; 'I love thee, I love thee,' thy true heart replies; The days that divide us, oh, may they fly fast And bring us together forever at last ! The days that are gone I will never forget, And may not the future hold sweeter ones yet? Oh, sorrow be gone I After night cometh dawn, And loving thee, loving thee, what can befall? Thy love like God's sunshine brighteneth all. ' I love thee, I love thee,' to-morrows untold ; 'I love thee, I love thee/ will never grow old. heart of my heart ! one brief moment with thee And ages of sorrow forgotten would be ; What bliss will be mine when the sad days have past And we are together forever at last ! Oh, sorrow be gone ! After night cometh dawn, And loving thee, loving thee, what can befall? Thy love like God's sunshine brighteneth all. 36 aitfc IN MA YTIME. CWEETHEART, my sweetheart forever! \j * Sweetheart, I'm thinking of you; Springtime will never come, never, But love will awaken anew. The buds and the blossoms of Maytime Are but the sweet signs of the joy That fill me with dreams in the daytime Dear visions I knew as a boy. Sweetheart, the days that have gladdened My heart with a rapture divine, Sweeten the sorrows that saddened Brief moments of your life and mine ; And now, with the sun shining brightly, And every wind stirring a joy, I bless the tears fallen so lightly They 've freshened the love of your boy. 37 Blue auto RHYME-BLOOM. LI ERE 'S a blossom, lady mine, Time can't change 'tis ever thine Heat of summer, frost of fall, Cannot wither seasons all Keep its fragrance, color, pride, Just for thee and none beside. Take it, pray, and let it be Emblem of my constancy. When your heart is struck with grief And the tears that bring relief Fall upon this blossom, dear, Fairer, fresher 'twill appear. So my love would richer be For a sorrow come to thee. Try me, sweet, oh, test my heart ! Know how dear to me thou art ! "When with joy your heart doth bound And you scatter sunshine round, 38 Blue antj olti. Light and warmth will then unfold Sweeter sweets than ere were told. Love like mine would only know Full perfection loving so ; Happiness would be your share Whether winds were foul or fair. Blue anfc RECOMPENSE. A S some great tree that deeper, day by day, Takes root into the earth some hardy oak That firmer stands for every tempest stroke, And grapples with huge rocks which bar its way, Doth push abroad, into the winds that sway, New branches and new buds, which suns provoke To leaves of living green, until they cloak Its trunk in beauty, and new strength display ; So does the human soul, when torn with grief, Grown stronger for the trial and the pain, Reach out for truths that know not time nor change, And hold them fast, until they bring relief, While hope and gladness blossom out again In beauty new and wonderful and strange. 40 BSlue ant @ott>. IN SIGHT. I ONG years, beloved, held us far apart ; A waste of days, the goal beyond our sight, We only knew by our firm faith in right, That somehow, some day, bringing heart to heart, Our ways would meet and nevermore would part, And we would both be happy, bearing light To make life's journey for each other bright, And knowing balm to heal each burning smart. But now, oh joy ! beloved, see the goal! Behold the glory of that mountain peak ! Ah, sweet, your eyes are lit with happy tears, A light is in them laying bare your soul. . A little while, dear love, and all we seek Will then be ours, to crown the coming years. Blue an* TRANSITION. \A7ITH happy hands I formed a frame around A dear sweet face, and gazed into the eyes Their utmost hidden depths of hlue to sound, In search of those sweet springs of paradise Whereat the thirsting soul may satisfy Itself in pools of light and love and life. I thought I had discovered where do lie Those secret fountains, still, unstirred hy strife, When, suddenly, Death trailed her shadowy shroud : My face grew grave and pale ; I loosed my hands, And, looking in Love's face, where, like a cloud Before the sun, stood Wonder, thought whose bands Would Death first loose, and prayed that hers first be And she be spared the pain of mourning me. 42 antJ SEPTEMBER THE TWENTY-FIFTH. DERHAPS in all this cruel changeful world There may be some who hate this blessed day Because it brought them terror and dismay, Or from some seat of fortune found them hurled ; Or some, with joy's bright banner closely furled, May keep the day in sadness, giving way To grievous tears, that burn as deep to-day As when from sorrow's source they first were whirled . Oh, you that hate the day, and speak it ill, Be sure it brought a gem beyond all price ; And you who weep, uncomforted, be still, An angel came this day from paradise: Upon this day my dearest love was born, The rarest jewel day hath ever worn. 43 35ltte ant) (So It. ^4 SUMMER MORNING. A SKY of blue with white sails set To stay the soft south wind ; A carpet green, that treasures yet The gems Night left behind. A bird has lit on yonder bough : She scolds her mate, who sings Anew each tender sacred vow, And tells the love he brings. Upon a grassy knoll I lie, The green leaves swing in glee ; Far down the east the gentle sky Presses the waves toward me. 44 Blue anfc VACATION. LJAPPY the days that Summer's lap doth hold, The idle days, the days that pass like dreams, Leaving no trace, or trace so faint it seems No more enduring than the message told By marks upon a heach by breakers rolled ; The past is lost, the future only gleams Far-distant, silvern, like the moon's pale beams, To check ambition with its temperate cold. Only the present lives vacation-time, The wheeling shade, the unconstant breeze, the sun, And time to weave some fancy into rhyme So swiftly days their silent courses run ! And when, at last, these dear delights depart, Lo ! strength has come to arm and brain and heart. 45 antJ LITTLE TRAVERSE BAY. P\ BAREST to me of all these inland seas Art thou, great Michigan. Thy bosom bears Perpetual grandeur. Every hour prepares New glories for the recompense of these That follow close the footsteps of the breeze, And loss is gain, for nothing past compares With thy dear present in such equal shares Dost thou reveal thy countless treasuries. Before me now thy greens and purples show, Dissolving bands that reach from shore to shore ; Thy wide expanse is flecked as if with snow That melts at once yet seems to come the more ; The waves roll in and stretch their arms to reach The restless sands upon the wind-blown beach. 46 Blue anli <oU. PROFESSOR DAVID SWING. CRIEND of the world he was; no living thing But knew his love ; God's sunshine in his heart Made it a place of heaven the counterpart Where greatest souls their highest thoughts might bring, Or even the lowly cricket chirp and sing, Assured of welcome ; for he knew the art Of nature, felt the greening grass-blade start, And heralded the advent of the spring. Now he is gone, the friend of art and song, Who loved the earth, the air, the sea, the sky; Whose faith in God and in his brother man Will make his name to be remembered long. Like men of old he spake. His light, held high, Made white the pathway wheresoe'er he ran. Blue anti THE COUNTRY SCHOOL. AT this old desk some rugged urchin sat To learn his letters and such words as ' cat '; His sun-browned feet were bare upon the floor, Which knew no polish save such smoothing o'er As twenty pairs of restless feet may give While wisdom wriggles through each tousled sieve. Perchance the master was some cultured man Whose mind, though mighty, had not solved God's plan To raise him from this humble, tiresome trust To one all conflict, glory, heat, and dust, Some future Garfield to attract the eye By great achievements, and at last to die Mourned by his country; or some struggling soul Who through this gate must pass to reach his goal Who lived unconscious of the pent-up song His lips would utter to be treasured long. Through open windows hear the drowsy hum Of insects, now that balmy June has come. 48 anti Soft winds are stirring, and the fearless fty Has just begun his pestering ways to try. The lessons lag, and restless hands and feet Find idle pastime on the floor and seat; And now the master's face turns toward the wall ; His glance is followed by the eyes of all; The clock, persistent, slow, but ever sure, Will soon release the bonds they now endure, And down the dusty lane and over field Will lad and lass go loitering, till the yield Of sunshine lessens and long shadows fall And milking-time and supper homeward call. And now 'tis winter, and the tingling air Upon each window makes frost-tracings rare. The wood-box bursts beneath the stored-up heat ; The round stove glows, and forty snow-wet feet Are drying, and the little room is full Of odors of burned leather and steamed wool. Along the wall, after each one is wrung, Are rows of leggings, mittens, tippets hung. The promised pleasure of a ' spelling bee ' Will make to-day a day of jollity. Blue anto SLEEP. C LEEP is a mystic river no mortal eye hath seen, With poppy flowers are nodding the banks it flows between; It finds its source in silence where stars together sing, And down to weary mortals the message hastes to bring. The boats upon its bosom, that float, an idle throng, Are dreams that to the rainbow or to the moon belong ; They 're drifting toward the harbor outside the port of day Where morning light will scatter each vision barque away. 60 Blue anti IN DREAMLAND. LJUSH-A-BY, baby, close thine eyes, Mother will sing sweet lullabies ; Softly the cradle will be rocked Till pretty eyelids sleep as locked, And you are away in Dreamland, In Dreamland. Hush-a-by, little one, daylight dies While I am singing lullabies. Where doe^ it vanish, baby dear? Into that land so far, so near, The land of sleep, called Dreamland, Called Dreamland. Hush-a-by, babe. What dims mine eyes While I am singing lullabies? What if the darkness knew no day ! What if my darling stayed away To evermore dwell in Dreamland, In Dreamland ! 51 Blue anb SPANISH LULLABY. (A. D. 1493.) pRETTY, my Pedro, a bird of the sea Long ago brought a sweet message to me The waters are ever repeating: 'Sweetheart,' they're saying, 'a beautiful land Westward is waiting a queen to command ; . From thither your lover sends greeting ! ' Pretty, my Pedro, your father unfurled Sail with Columbus to find a new world Afar where the sunset is glowing. Then I was fearful the future to scan; Now I am hopeful with you, little man, And visions of promise are growing. Pretty, my Pedro, your sails, too, are set: Sleep, the Good Master, will guide you, my pet, To realms of beautiful splendor. Sure as your waking his coming will be, Father to you, sweet, and husband to me, And lover so true and so tender. 52 i3Iue anti do. SWINGING TO DREAMLAND. C WING, baby, swing to Dreamland ; There, sweet, in slumber go ; My song will blend in seemland With songs the angels know ; Thy hammock will be golden And like the crescent moon, And in its hollow holden Thou wilt be sailing soon. Go swinging, swaying, swinging, High up among the stars ; At mother's wish upspringing Shall sleep let down the bars ; Although thy hammock golden Is like the crescent moon, Thou wilt, in my arms holden, Wake bright and laughing soon. 53 Blue anli MOTHER, MOON, AND STABS. 'THE moon is bending o'er the sea, As I, my babe, bend over thee; She rocks it gently to and fro, As I now rock you so, and so; The wind, her breath, sings softly, ' Dear Sleep sweetly now, for I am near.' The stars look down upon the lea, As I, my babe, look down on thee ; The earth 's at rest ; they vigils keep, As I watch o'er thy peaceful sleep, And through the silence I can hear, 'Sleep sweetly now, for we are near.' 54 Blue ant HEIGH-HO! MY LADDIE, Of J-JEIGH - HO ! my laddie, O ! 'Tis bedtime now for dearie; By-lo ! away we go To rest the limbs so weary. At last my boy grows tired of play That fills with joy the live-long day, And welcomes night when shadows gray From the underworld come stealing. Heigh-ho ! my laddie, O ! The stars a watch are keeping ; By-lo ! they 're shining so To guard my boy while sleeping. And soon, relit, the world all new, With skies to match your eyes of blue, Another day will dawn for you, Every hour new joys revealing. 56 SUPPOSE. C UPPOSE you were reading some wonderful tome That led you way back in the past, Till with feasting and fighting in Athens or Rome You 'd forget in what age you were cast ; Suppose while thus 'busy' you heard a wee voice And felt a small hand on your knee, Would the world of the present or past be your choice At the sound of that little 'take me'? Oh, come now ! Be honest ! What would you do ? You 'd ( take ' Tiny Toddler and hug him to you. Suppose you had been in the city all day, In the trouble and turmoil of trade, Till your brain was so weary you felt the dismay Of an overtaxed surface-car jade ; Suppose you were smoking and taking your ease, And in should come little Boy Blue To ' play horsey ' with papa, and ' wouldn't he please To kick up' and such antics go through? Oh, come now ! Be honest ! What would you do ? You'd prance and 'play horsey' with little Boy Blue! 56 Blue antj Suppose you were thinking of serious things, Of questions mortality asks, Till life, with the problems perplexing it brings, Seemed a round of impossible tasks ; Suppose while thus puzzled, a frown on your brow And your face looking solemn and grim, Little laddie insists you shall be a ' bow-wow ' Or sing < Hey, diddle, diddle ! ' to him ! Oh, come now ! Be honest ! What would you do ? You 'd ' bark ' or recite Mother Goose, would n't you ? Blue ant MY RIVAL. LJER heart was all mine until he came along, My rival, the hero of this little song. With so much against him I marvel that he For even a moment can dispossess me. He is not so tall by some inches (my height For a number of years has been her delight), Has never the sign of a beard on his chin And the hair on his head is decidedly thin; Yet, the very first time she saw him, she said, 'The darling, I love him ! ' and tears for joy shed. His eyes they are blue, and blue eyes in a man She detests as only a good woman can ; Regarding his teeth, about them the less said The better he has not a tooth in his head! He not only chews gum but chews gums, which is worse, A sin she abhors as a positive curse. My rival? I smiled a ridiculous thought! And into her presence the strange prince brought, And the very first moment she saw him she said, ' The darling, I love him ! ' and tears for joy shed. 98 23lue anU oft. My rival ! Believe me, I love him full well Or defects in his make-up I never would tell. The place he has taken I want him to keep, Close, close to her heart ! Hear her sing him to sleep ! And yet, notwithstanding, I want you to know He 's a rival unrivaled. Go search high and low (Don't look in your cradle for any such joy) And find if you can such a sweet baby boy. No wonder the moment she saw him she said, 'The darling, I love him ! ' and tears for joy shed Blue anfc DORCHESTER AND DOROTHY. nORCHESTER, Dorothy, lad and lass, Brother and sister, it came to pass, Never each other knew; Lassie is five years, while laddie 'd be seven One upon earth and the other in heaven, So these children grew. Dorothy, Dorchester (sweetest of names) Never together played pretty games, Dorothy plays them alone. She does not miss him ; she could n't, you know. But mother, who watches her, misses him so Longs for her little 'my own!' Dorchester, Dorothy ! Many the night Both in her arms have been folded tight, Sung to and put into bed. Only the one ! She knows there are two Mother-love truly such wonders can do ! Dorchester seemeth not dead. 60 Blue anto Dorothy, Dorchester, always, I know, Side by side in her heart do grow, Giving her heart a joy ; But first to awaken a love divine, First to make sorrow a friend benign, First in her heart is her boy. Blue anfc CHRISTMAS IS COMING. QHRISTM AS is coming! Oh, my! Oh, my! Look out, little man, do n't cry ! Do n't cry ! For Santa Glaus loveth a brave little boy, And surely remembers all such with a toy Or a game or a book Or a long candy crook Never mind if your tumble did hurt, don't cry! Christmas is coming, and my little lad Will forget every troublesome bump he has had! It bringeth a balm for each bruise, and the smart Of the saddest of griefs for the time will depart. The joy of the bells In each bosom swells, For the goodness of giving makes every heart glad. Yes, Christmas is coming! That wonderful day The children delight in is not far away. 62 Blue ant) Then candies and cookies and wagons and sleds, And jumping-jacks, whistles, and dolls' little beds Are scattered abroad, And the children applaud Each treasure from Santa Glaus' wonderful sleigh. 63 Blue an* MOTHER GOOSE. 'THERE 'S a book we all know and can quote by the page, No other book stands in its place ; In childhood, in manhood, in youth, and in age, Its jingling wisdom we trace. 'Tis a book that we love (you'll do well to confess) No matter what others we use, And its title is what? Now couldn't you guess? Of course ! It is old Mother Goose. The first time you read it you skipped all the words, The pictures alone took your eye ; Those wonderful pictures of beasts and of birds, Of creatures that crawl, walk, or fly ; You cared not a bit for the wisdom and wit, Nor detected the rhyming was loose On the floor by the hour you would silently sit Enchanted by dear Mother Goose. There was Old King Cole, the merry old soul, And Miss Muff et with curds and whey ; 64 ant) The men who went sailing the sea in a bowl, And the lady-bug idling away ; There was Little Boy Blue, and Jack Homer too, And Miss Flinders who suffered abuse ; And the birds in the pie, and Cry, Baby, Cry They 're still living in good Mother Goose. Mother Goose does not rank very high in the list Of best books oh, give her a prop ! Come help me to maintain her claims to insist That she 's given a place near the top. There may be some better (how many are worse !) Her maligners will cry for a truce If we take up her standard and stoutly rehearse The glories of good Mother Goose. anfc GRANDMOTHER'S SWEETHEART. QRANDMOTHER'S sweetheart, here ia a line She sendeth thee for a valentine. Loving thee more than her heart can tell (I wonder if you love her so well ? ) With every letter she sends a kiss. Her eyes grow dim while she's writing this, For, Sweetheart Fanny, you must know It inaketh the heart ache loving so. Grandmother's sweetheart liveth afar Down by the bay where the big ships are, And never a ship does grandmother see But beareth her message of love to thee. The whole great wonderful fleet of ships That lie at rest in their quiet slips, With their caverns and caves of space all told The love that she bears thee could not hold. So, Sweetheart Fanny, a little while Grandmother's love on thee will smile ; Blue antj olti. Then, drifting out on an unknown sea, In the great beyond she will wait for thee. And others will come and praise your eyes, And tell their love with a million sighs ; But never a one of them all will know A deeper love than her heart can show. (57 Blue antJ RHYME OF THE COVERLET. J^OCKABY, rockaby, Winter 's in town Cover the baby up warm. Under a drift of white wool soft as down What will he know of the storm ? Rockaby, rockaby, Springtime is near. When baby goeth to sleep Under this blossomy coverlet, dear, Let not a chill wind creep. Rockaby, rockaby, Summer unbars Cover the baby aright. Under a canopy sprinkled with stars What will he know of the night ? Rockaby, rockaby, Autumn is bold Cover him up like a king : Robes of purple and cloth of gold ; Tribute and service bring. 68 Blue anli oil). TICK- TOOK L ULLAB Y. 'THERE 'S a little tired shoe and a little mussed frock, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, And there on the floor lies a little limp sock, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock; They're glad, I am sure, after going all day, To rest from the labor and pleasure of play, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. How quietly sleep comes count the clock ! Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, . Comes in at the door with never a knock, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, With no one to greet him, welcomest guest! He enters and giveth his dear ones rest, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. Perhaps he is near us while we rock, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, And soon will disclose his wonderful stock, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock, In exchange for thy store of weariness, His bag of dreams he will leave, I guess, Tick-tock, tick-tock, tick-tock. ant NAUTICAL NED. T SING of a toddling mariner chap, With wide flowing trousers and sailor's cap; His little warm jacket, with buttons and braid, Bespeaks the bold rover to run a blockade. No longer miscall him when all has been said, His name is not Edward, but Nautical Ned; A wee little, free little fellow is he, And yet he 's a regular man of the sea. I question if ever he walked a ship's deck, Or felt the salt spray on his cheek or his neck ; And surely those blue eyes never have scanned The far-off horizon for long-looked-for land. What odds if never the sea he has crossed, In a tub of a boat been rudely tossed ? He tosses the sea in a tub of his own, While the waves dash high and the women make moan! The most wonderful cruiser ever afloat Is the world she is truly a marvellous boat! 7: ant) And sailing out on the sea of Time, So tempest-tossed, to another clime, It is sweet to think that such sailors are As Nautical Ned, the jolly young tar! With the great, good Captain, and such as these, Who cares for the wind-swept stormy seas? Blue an* (olli. LITTLE ELIZABETH. I ITTLE Elizabeth, how shall I say The joy you put in my heart one day When I was in Gotham, a thousand miles From home and the light of my dear one's smiles? Your cherub face with the winsome eyes At first was full of a shy surprise, But soon you gave me your heart, and then I was here at home with Boy Blue again. Little Elizabeth, do you know (You surely will when you older grow) How lonely it is when one is away A month, a week, or a single day, From those who love us and whom we love? And how we welcome, all else above, A face, a hand-touch, a tone of voice That takes us home where our hearts rejoice? Little Elizabeth, motherless child, I wonder if she is reconciled? ami I wonder if mothers, when they die, Look down on their loved ones from on high? Perhaps, in walking the streets of gold, A little child she may behold And fold it close to her heart, and then Be at home on earth with her babe again. ant oft. ALONE WITH 'THE BABY. A LONE with the baby one whole day, So mama may go to the Fair. Papa and Rowland! What did you say? Afraid we '11 be lonesome ? Do n't care ! All day together. My, what fun ! The day will be done Before it 's begun, For Rowland and I are a pair! I Ve a ' list ' in my pocket of what I 'm to do, And I notice some moments to spare. I like to take care of the baby, don't you? I 'd rather than go to the Fair. I tell you the baby and I will have fun ! The day will be done Before it 's begun, For Rowland and I are a pair ! When ten o'clock comes I 'm to give him a drink From ' the glass on the bureau ' right there, At eleven the broth, oh, help me to think ! And a < gem ' so my orders declare. 74 Blue anU (Belli. When he's hungry I'll feed him ! What glorious fun ! The day will be done Before it's begun, For Rowland and I are a pair ! At twelve we go riding he '11 be < in the push,' Which I '11 push with the greatest of care ; At one I 'm to sing to him < Hush-a-By, Hush ! ' Until dream visions float in the air. When he 's sleepy I '11 sing him to sleep ! More fun ? The day will be done Before it 's begun, For Rowland and I are a pair ! At two but, good gracious ! you need not expect More details of this little affair ; The youngster 's awake, if I 'm not incorrect, To begin the good time we 're to share. I hope Ms ideas are like mine about fun ! Before it 's begun I wish the day done Although we 're so much of a pair ! ant) oft. SWINGING SONG. A HAMMOCK gently swinging, A mother bends above ; She to her babe is singing With heart all full of love. The little maiden swaying Beneath the greenwood tree Has set her heart to saying, ' Love me as I love thee.' So swaying, swinging slowly, Her loved one to and fro, Her heart with rapture holy Out to her babe doth go ; And while her thoughts are straying Among the days to be, Her heart is ever saying, ' Love me as I love thee.' Another hammock swinging, A lover bends above, He to his sweetheart singing With heart all full of love ; 76 anto The lovely maiden swaying Beneath the greenwood tree Has set his heart to saying, ' Love me as I love thee.' So swaying, swinging slowly His loved one to and fro, His heart with rapture holy Out to his love doth go ; And while his thoughts are straying Among the days to be, His heart is ever saying, ' Love me as I love thee.' 77 Blue antj STUMBLE TOE. JOOK out, little toy ! Wherever you go Remember the story of Stumble Toe. There once was a dear little child (ah, me ! ) And he had ten toes that were straight as could be, And every one was pink and white Where mother had kissed it morning and night ; And each little toe had a name (oh, woe ! ) And one had the name of Stumble Toe. Now one little toe was called Hippity Hop, And he 'd run till the others would beg him to stop ; Another toe answered to Creepity Creep, And he never was still except when asleep ; And so on was christened each one in the row Till you came to the awkward Stumble Toe. Oh, he was as stubborn as stubborn could be ! And he sulked till a trial and cross was he. A whipping at morning, a spanking at night, Were never enough to keep Stumble Toe right ; Till at last came disaster and tearful woe To crown the behavior of Stumble Toe. 78 Blue anU otto. The best of good children (oh, but it 's sad ! Are sometimes quite naughty, although not real bad ; Their feet get so heavy they drag on the floor (And when they act that way they need one spank more 'Tis when they are naughty, some times, don't you know) And they 're taken advantage of by Stumble Toe. Just how it was done I could never recall ; I distinctly remember a terrible fall, And a bump on the forehead, a bruise on the arm, And my heart standing still in fearful alarm. So look out, my darling ; wherever you go Remember the story of Stumble Toe. 79 ant) THE WIND'S SONG IN THE < TREE-TOP: * J-JERE in the Tree- Top rest awhile, And hark to the wind that brings, From over the bay, far, far away, The song it so sweetly sings. TO A BABE. I dipped my wing in the green-gray sea, The drops I scatter are pearls to thee; And each white pearl is dream on dream, For each is a drop of the slumber stream. And over and over I 've kissed the clover, And kissed the dew ; a world-wide rover, From mountain and valley all sweets I bring To bless thy dreams while slumbering. Then sleep in the Tree-Top, baby mine ; Close those big brown eyes of thine. The clover bloom and the dream-pearl's spell I sing, my love, and all is well. * A summer cottage overlooking Little Traverse Bay. 80 Blue anb <0ttJ. The wind in the Tree-Top ever sings, And this is another song; A stronger stave from over the wave For the boy with the curls so long. TO A CHILD. Hurrah for the lad In breeches clad, And a blouse like a sailor-man ! The boy for me Is such as he, I will give him a coat of tan ! How the ribbons flap On his sailor's cap As if they would blow away ! His curly head Looks well in bed, I will give him a nap each day. He's never afraid Of man or maid, In that he is just like me. The water moans When he throws in stones, We are one when he smites the sea. 81 ant) (Holt. So hurrah for the lad In hreeches clad, And a blouse like a sailor true! He 's brave, he 's free, He resembles me I love him enough for two. A rollicking song ivas that just heard, Here 's one in a different key ; Of beautiful days now wrapped in haze A song of the days to be. TO A YOUTH. I fill the sails of wonderful boats, I hurry them on, I hurry them on ; And many a beautiful banner floats As I go wandering hither and yon ; The birds of paradise pour their throats, And fill the air with ravishing notes, Till all of the present is gone. The gilded clouds away in the west I bear along, I bear along ; The silver moon I rock to rest And send the moonlight with my song ; 82 iSlue anti And all of the heart's desires the best I waft to thee in the Tree-Top nest For all to youth belong. youth, sweet youth, with wondering eyes, I bid you see, I bid you see ; For all of the future is your prize, And all good things may come to thee ; The sunset cloud, the boat that flies, , The songs of the birds of paradise, All, all are yours to be. And once again I pray give ear To a song that shall blend in one The future, the past, the present. At last The song of the wind is done. TO A FATHER AND A MOTHER. Here in the Tree-Top, blessed days Shall come to thee and thine; Hither returning, various ways Shall into one way twine. Summers of gladness, untold joys, Beneath this roof you '11 find ; 83 ant Facing the future with your boys Nothing shall prove unkind. Ever the present will be blest, Ever the past unfold Beauty to fill that place in the nest That is hers of the heart of gold. 84 33lu* anli DREAMING AND DOING. P\ REAMING is pleasant, I know, my boy, Dreaming is pleasant, I know. To dream of that wonderful, far-off day When you '11 be a man and have only to say, To this one and that one, Do that and do this, While your wishes fulfilment never shall miss, May fill you with pleasure ; but deeper the joy Of doing a thing yourself, my boy Of doing a thing yourself. Dreaming is pleasant, I know, my girl, Dreaming is pleasant, I know. To dream of that far-off, wonderful day When you '11 be a queen and hold full sway Over hearts that are loyal and kind and just, While your sweet ' If you please ' will mean ' You must ! ' May fill you with joy ; but you '11 find pleasure's pearl In doing for others yourself, my girl In doing for others yourself. 85 33lue anli oil). SUBURBAN SILHOUETTES. A BALLADE OF COOPERATIVE COOKING. "THE cooperative cooking craze, Which now so many deprecate, Perhaps in future happy days The world at large will emulate : Then how we will congratulate The few who boldly took the lead In cooking to cooperate The dames who made the old recede. If time shall prove our present ways Are direful and degenerate, And subject to the dreadful maze Of Bridget-wranglings intricate, With very much to agitate And tease our wives beyond their meed,- Then how we will commemorate The dames who made the old recede. 87 Blue anto The grocer, milkman, butcher, strays Into our kitchens desolate, Where neither 'flame* nor friendly blaze Will welcome him affectionate. We '11 only hope and pray that fate Will send the meal we sadly need, And, if it tarries, imprecate The dames who made the old recede. Envoy. On them we, smiling, turn to gaze, And put small faith in their new creed; Mayhap ere long we '11 stop to praise The dames who made the old recede. Blue anto THE DOCTOR'S RIDE. THE Doctor loves a thoroughbred, A thoroughbred has he, And he can ride a thoroughbred In a manner masterly. It was a day in early spring When the sun shone bright and fair, And the birds were blithely carolling And flitting here and there. His steed stood ready at the door, And pawed impatiently ; A moment more and medic lore Was banished utterly. Down Davis street the mare and man A gentle journey made To the road named after Sheridan, Then northward they essayed. The boat-house quickly fell behind ; The house where the Bogerts dwell; 89 23lue anli < Our Neighbor's Fence ' and the Doctor's sense Then dropped behind as well. The thoroughbred was taking ' head,' The Doctor had to go ; Memorial Hall and the lighthouse tall Now to the southward show. Along the Ridge, on toward Wilmette, As though to win a race They passed the bluffs, nor even yet Could the Doctor slacken pace. The roads were fine and the day was fair, And the balmy breezes fanned The flanks of the mare, and the Doctor's hair And his good face weather-tanned. On, on they sped, the thoroughbred And the Doctor dreamily; When night came down, through many a town They 'd fled full furiously. In the Queen's domain were seen the twain, The man and the galloping mare, And many a day did pass away Ere his patients knew his care. 90 Blue anlJ 'Tis strange but true, how the story grew That the Doctor south had been, To idly rove in an orange grove To me 'tis all 'too thin.' But truth will out, and what I shout Who is there to deny ? Oh, Mann, beware when next your mare Desires with you to fly ! 91 THE FROG POND. THERE are places in our village which delight the loving eye Of the resident or stranger who is merely passing by ; Such for instance are the campus, and the lake shore, and the parks, Where moonless nights in summertime show myr- iads of 'sparks.' But the place before all others that 's entitled to the ' cake ' Is the frog pond by the railroad track where Sher- man crosses Lake. Would you see it in its beauty, hear its swelling inmates croak Till you 'd think their apparatuses would every one be broke, Just visit it in springtime, when the rains have filled it full And listen to the bellowings of the boisterous Mr. Bull Blue anfc The sound is something solemn, and enough to make you quake As it rises from the frog pond near where Sher- man crosses Lake. Doc Webster's gentle Jersey cow at times we 've chanced to see Made fast by several yards of rope to a neighboring willow tree, And we have wished her bigger, with an awful love for drink, Which might result in mortals being given time to think, For then she'd soon relieve us, when she sought her thirst to slake, Of the frog pond by the railroad track where Sher- man crosses Lake. 93 Blue atrtj (Solo. THE FEM. SEM. GIRL. THE society girl with mind in a whirl Who thinks but of tennis and ' hops,' The mythical miss who refuses a kiss Because it is naughty, and stops, The much-afraid maid who sits in the shade For fear she will freckle and tan, Are not in the race for third or fourth place, The Fern. Sem. is the girl for a man. No dandified dude would dare to intrude Where his manners would surely be ' guyed '; No clodhopper clown but could fathom her frown Which surely to him were applied ; No self-esteemed chump with an oversized bump Of conceit, but would shrink at her plan Of making it known to what size it had grown The Fern. Sem. is the girl for a man. Yes, the charming Fern. Sem. (there are many of them) Is a girl whom a man may adore ; 94 Blue ano (goto. Her knowledge of books has not spoiled her good looks For she 's nurtured in womanly lore ; To bask in her smile is surely worth while, And blest are the mortals who can ; She is good, she is fair, and again we declare The Fern. Sena, is the girl for a man. 95 Blue ant LINDY. THARE wa 'n't no reason I could see, Why Lindy had n't ort to be The happiest gal 'at ever set Afore a mirror. Why, I bet She 's got more gowns 'an she could wear, An' change 'em daily, till the Fair Of nineteen hundred ninety-three Leastwise so it 'peared to me. A span o' bosses, fit to haul The queen, is waitin' at her call, An' 'bout a dozen kinds o' rigs The funniest is them two-wheeled gigs, An' footmen, when she sends 'em, scoot An' do theyr best her whims to suit. But with all this she seems to lack The happy look she had way back. That house o' hern ! Well, I '11 be blest If it ain't jest about the best 96 anlJ <olo. 'At ever I set my foot in ! No use fer my tongue to begin To spell out sech a awful stack O' furniture an' brickybrack. Thare's everythin' 'at you can guess Would go fer makin' happiness. Thare's books an' pictures till my eyes Was tired o' lookin' with surprise. When Lindy told me what they cost I thought her senses must be lost ! But when she turned, her eyes all sad, An' like she ust ter, called me ' Dad,' An' put her hand in mine, I knew 'At what our Lindy said was true. An' when nex' day she told me how She felt so kind o' lonesome now, An' took his little picture out The baby's 'at you know about An' said 'at she would ruther part With all o' them great works o' art 'An with that little baby's face, I knowed her heart was in its place. 97 iSlue antj (So Hi. An' so I 'm thinkin', tho' John 'a good, An' gives her everythin' he should, He 's busy, an' maybe f orgits 'At how she sometimes has them fits 0' lonesomeness, an' does n't know 'At what she cares f er is n't show, But love, to dry that fountain up 'At every day fills sorter's cup. 98 Blue anfc (olti. THE KISS. 'THE fragrance of fair gardens stole Through silent spaces dusky, Detective fire-flies flashed patrol Down many pathways musky, When first he called Miss Katherine ' Kate ' And lost the prefix ' Mr.' They parted at the garden gate, 'T was there he kissed her. Her eyes were jewels wondrous bright, No diamonds could outshine them; Her teeth were such a milky white "Were ivory judge 't would fine them ! Her mouth ! no flower so sweet doth blow - What mortal could resist her? Although her lips said ' No, no, no ! ' 'T was there he kissed her. 99 Blue ant HOW THE OTHER HALF LIVE. UOW the other half live, is a question I fear, Dear sirs, to discuss, for to me 'tis not clear Who the other half are. Two halves make a whole On that proposition would each stake his soul ; We belong to the world, and when that is divided To which half we belong will then be decided ; But who is among us in full glare of day, Not by gaslight at banquet, is willing to say How the other half live? How the other half live ! There 's the good and the bad, And the halves are uneven, although it is sad ; And the latter outnumber the first in such wise As to discount all blessings the good can devise. And who is now here who would wish to declare, By naming the other, his own and our share? 'T is a question that puts us all far out to sea, And one that may bother us eternally How the other half live. 100 Blue ant) How the other half live ! Who is rich, who is poor ? If we knew who were which we might find us a cure. Many troubles we know are withdrawn from the latter, At the same time we wish that our wallets were fatter! And so I have run through a numerous list (Which might have been longer had nothing been missed) Till at last I have come to the only division That has helped me at all in making decision How the other half live. How the other half live ! Who the other half are, When discovered, solution is not very far. Why, who could they be, but the women, God bless them! Our own better halves! How we love and caress them! The only division to make of humanity Into two parts, without losing your sanity, Is division by sexes. Now be it resolved, By the light of these rhymes has the problem been solved How the other half live. 101 Blue smfc DON'T. r\O N'T use an inch rule to measure your life ; The horizon, the peaks in the sky, Are always at hand let your living be planned To a scale which such objects supply. Do n't wear yourself out in an ignoble strife ; There are objects worth while to achieve, And they lie within reach of the humblest and teach A gospel the world will receive. Do n't gaze at a copper with look so intense Its impress is stamped on your mind ; 'T was a miser was led by a penny who said, Look out for each cent that you find. Take care of the dollars, you '11 have enough cents To keep you from poverty's door ; Enjoy what you 've got without casting your lot With spendthrifts or niggards galore. Do n't get in a rut take a main-travelled road Worn smooth by the many who pass ; 102 38lue anb If you travel in ' tracks ' you will follow the hacks That ought to be turned out to grass. It matters but little what sort of a load You carry or whither it goes ; If you journey aright the burden is light And you 're ready for friends or for foes. 103 anl) <0ltJ. AUNT MARY. THERE 'S a time at the close of day, When the tea things are put away, When Aunt Mary thinks and winks and blinks,- And what does she think of, pray? Does she think of the days gone by? And is every breath a sigh For the hours she spent in merriment, When quick were foot and eye? Do those nights, long gone, return, And love's old passion burn? Of far-away June does memory croon, And make her poor heart yearn ? Or is it of other things, Her memory busily sings Of troublesome mice and boys not nice, Of the cupboard door that swings ? If her thoughts are of this or that, For the gift of a brand-new hat, She would not tell, I know right well Aunt Mary 's the household cat. A 000130099 5