Page:Harper's New Monthly Magazine - v108.djvu/521

Rh true that you have shared with me what you had, but what have you had in return? Me, Jane; the whole of me. My hopes, my prospects, my earnings, my friends, my reputation, as much of my past as was of use to you. When I bet the money you lent me on Popocatapetl and Aetna stock it was only with the hope of winning a little something to spend on your pleasures. When the shares went up in smoke the loss was grievous to me because it was a blow to you. When I had that good offer to go to Madagascar, I declined it because you could not bear to leave home; when you bought this home I settled down to live in it because it seemed more likely that you would be happy here than elsewhere. Of eight gentlemen whom I have heard of as early admirers of yours whose attentions seemed serious, five have since taken the gold-cure, one is a hopeless gambler, and one married a servant. I don't believe, Jane, you have missed as much as you fear. You have married a man who is sober, reputable, fairly presentable, and who causes you no other anxiety than the remote fear that your income may not always be sufficient for his support. If not, it will be a great pity, for such a man is invaluable to such a woman as you, and the most you can do for him won't be too much, but is rather in danger of being far too little. However, Jane, one's best is one's best, and angels can do no more. But angels realize that they are well off, whereas in this world one of our chief sources of unhappiness is our inability to appreciate all the blessings that we possess."

Uncle Thomas had warmed to his subject until he spoke with animation. When he stopped, Aunt Jane got up and kissed him. "Dear Tom," she said, "what a pleasure it is to hear the sound of your voice!"

HE A-ou-dad with his curving horns
 * Is a beautiful sight to see,—

And deep in his noble heart he scorns
 * The sin of inconstancy.

He sits in the lee of the Gee-gaw tree
 * (Avoiding a tropic tan)

And eats its fruits,—while the Whang-bird hoots;
 * And when he has formed a plan,

There's not an obstacle, good or bad, That can stay the way of the A-ou-dad.

When the fruit hangs high he docs not pass by,
 * Or moan in a mood forlorn.

But he leaps to a limb within reach of him
 * And hangs by a crescent horn.

Nor does he dismay if the horn gives way
 * (As indeed it has often done).

But 'neath the tree he remains till he
 * Has sprouted another one.

'Tis said persistency is a fad With the acrobat A-ou-dad.

'Twere wise, my dear, with a mind sincere
 * To study your household pets;

For each has ways to evoke your praise,—
 * And many a hint one gets

From the able ant, or the cormorant,
 * Or the mouse with its frugal bent;

And if you've a cat you may learn of that
 * The virtue of sweet content.—

But, oh, I am sorry you never had An active African A-ou-dad!