Page:Harper's New Monthly Magazine - v108.djvu/1041



WAS lost, as it seems, In the region of dreams,
 * And wandered there all through the night;

The things that I heard Were really absurd,
 * Though they seemed to be perfectly right.

A kid was my guide; He frisked at my side.
 * "I was bred for a butter," said he;

"Though I charge a good bit, I'm not deer, you'll admit,
 * For I go-at whatever I see."

At a tree then he ran. Crying, "Rubber, old man,
 * Have you teeth in your gums? Let me look."

But the rubber-tree said, "I've a cold in my head,"
 * And he sneezed. "Kerchook, Caoutchouc!"

Then a maiden rushed by. With a gleam in her eye;
 * "Are you looking for bargains ?" cried she;

"Let me give you a tip, There's a sail on a ship—
 * You had better be coming to sea."

Said another maid: "Lo! I must reap as I sew;
 * Are there thimble-berries on hills?

I have searched far and wide. With a stitch in my side.
 * For the bush where they gather the frills."

Then a night-mare cried, "Hay!" But the kid replied, "Neigh!"
 * And he bit at some herbs where they sprang :

"Did you think it was late? See, the thyme is just ate."
 * Thank goodness, the breakfast-bell rang.

IVE-YEAR-OLD George burst into the house on his return from the first day at kindergarten, full of enthusiasm, and much enamoured of the fair little maid of seven who shared his seat.

"But she is too large to be your sweetheart, isn't she?" asked his brother, teasingly.

"Well," responded George, slowly but hopefully, "my head only comes to her shoulder, but my feet reach down as far as hers do!"