Volume X Part 29 (1/2)

In caucus or convention, in village or in town: ”Who openeth a jackpot may not always rake it down.”

DUM VIVIMUS VIGILAMUS

BY JOHN PAUL

Turn out more ale, turn up the light; I will not go to bed to-night.

Of all the foes that man should dread The first and worst one is a bed.

Friends I have had both old and young, And ale we drank and songs we sung: Enough you know when this is said, That, one and all,--they died in bed.

In bed they died and I'll not go Where all my friends have perished so.

Go you who glad would buried be, But not to-night a bed for me.

For me to-night no bed prepare, But set me out my oaken chair.

And bid no other guests beside The ghosts that shall around me glide; In curling smoke-wreaths I shall see A fair and gentle company.

Though silent all, rare revelers they, Who leave you not till break of day.

Go you who would not daylight see, But not to-night a bed for me: For I've been born and I've been wed-- All of man's peril comes of bed.

And I'll not seek--whate'er befall-- Him who unbidden comes to all.

A grewsome guest, a lean-jawed wight-- G.o.d send he do not come to-night!

But if he do, to claim his own, He shall not find me lying p.r.o.ne; But blithely, bravely, sitting up, And raising high the stirrup-cup.

Then if you find a pipe unfilled, An empty chair, the brown ale spilled; Well may you know, though naught be said, That I've been borne away to bed.

AT AUNTY'S HOUSE

BY JAMES WHITCOMB RILEY

One time, when we'z at Aunty's house-- 'Way in the country!--where They's ist but woods--an' pigs, an' cows-- An' all's out-doors an' air!-- An' orchurd-swing; an' churry-trees-- An' _churries_ in 'em!--Yes, an' these- Here red-head birds steals all they please, An' tetch 'em ef you dare!-- W'y, wunst, one time, when we wuz there, _We et out on the porch_!

Wite where the cellar-door wuz shut The table wuz; an' I Let Aunty set by me an' cut My vittuls up--an' pie.

'Tuz awful funny!--I could see The red-heads in the churry-tree; An' bee-hives, where you got to be So keerful, goin' by;-- An' ”Comp'ny” there an' all!--an' we-- _We et out on the porch_!

An' I ist et _p'surves_ an' things 'At Ma don't 'low me to-- An' _chickun-gizzurds_--(don't like _wings_ Like _Parunts_ does! do _you_?)

An' all the time, the wind blowed there, An' I could feel it in my hair, An' ist smell clover _ever'_where!-- An' a' old red-head flew Purt' nigh wite over my high-chair, _When we et on the porch_!

w.i.l.l.y AND THE LADY

BY GELETT BURGESS