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AN IDYL OF THE PERIOD.

I.

"COME right in-how are you, Fred? Find a chair and have a light."

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Well, old boy, recovered yet

From the Mathers' jam last night? "Didn't dance; the german's old." “Didn't you? I had to lead— Awful bore-but where were you?" "Sat it out with Molly Meade; Jolly little girl she is—

Said she didn't care to dance, 'D rather have a quiet chat;

Then she gave me such a glance! Gave me her bouquet to hold,

Asked me to draw off her glove; Then, of course, I squeezed her hand, Talked about my wasted life,

Said my sole salvation must

Be a true and gentle wife.

Then, you know, I used my eyes;
She believed me, every word,
Almost said she loved me-Jove!
Such a voice I never heard!-
Gave me some symbolic flower,
Had a meaning, Oh, so sweet!
Don't know where it is, I'm sure,
Must have dropped it in the street.
How I spooned! and she-ha! ha!
Well, I know it wasn't right;
But she did believe me so,

That I-kissed her. Pass a light."

II.

"Mollie Meade-well, I declare! Who'd have thought of seeing you, After what occurred last night,

Out here on the avenue?

Oh, you awful, awful girl!

There, don't blush-I saw it all." "Saw all what?" "Ahem! last night— At the Mathers' in the hall."

“Oh, you horrid ! where were you?
Wasn't he an awful goose?
Most men must be caught; but he
Ran his neck right in the noose.
I was almost dead to dance;
I'd have done it if I could;
But old Gray said I must stop,
And I promised ma I would;
So I looked up sweet and said
I had rather talk with him-
Hope he didn't see my face;
Luckily the lights were dim.
Then, Oh, how he squeezed my hand!
And he looked up in my face
With his great, big, lovely eyes—
Really it's a dreadful case!

He was all in earnest, too;

But I really thought I'd have to laughWhen he kissed a flower I gave,

Looking, Oh, like such a calf!

I suppose he has it now

In a wine-glass on his shelves;

It's a mystery to me

Why men will deceive themselves.
'Saw him kiss me!' Oh, you wretch!
Well, he begged so hard for one,
And I thought there'd no one know—
So I let him, just for fun!

I know it wasn't really right
To trifle with his feelings, dear;
But men are such conceited things,
They need a lesson once a year."

ANONYMOUS.

A TINY TRAGEDY. PERIOD-Indefinite. SCENE-Anywhere.

ACT I.

A SHADY nook-
A rippling brook—
Moonlight;

A garden chair

A youthful pair—
Delight!

ACT II.

Troth plighted oft

In accents soft.

Oh, bliss!

Vow endless love-
(Cease, laughing Jove!)

And kiss.

ACT III.

A jealous thought-
The mischief's wrought.

Untrue?

A haughty pout-
A cutting flout.

Adieu!

ACT IV.

A vessel starts:

In distant parts

He'll roam.

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