"As sure as a gun" is a worthy old phrase
That doesn't quite seem to apply in our days;
And that man is a cynic, or talking in fun,
Who says he's "as sure as an 'African' gun."
The Birmingham gun-makers loudly protest
That their products are good, if they're not quite the best.
_Mr. Punch_ with the Brummagem boys will not quarrel,
But all guns should be trustworthy, stock, lock and barrel;
Be the game one is after an Arab or pheasant,
The chance of a barrel that bursts is not pleasant.
Good work brings good pay, as it always has done;
That (in the old sense) is "as sure as a gun!"
* * * * *
MRS. R. has been uncommonly humorous lately. She observed, "What a
foolish remark it was of Dr. JOHNSON'S to say that 'who makes a pen
would pick a pocket.'" "Unless", she added, struck with a brilliant idea,
"he was thinking of 'steel pens.' But I don't think there were any in
his time."
[Illustration: "BABY BUNG."
NURSE RITCHIE. "THERE YOU ARE, MY LITTLE DEAR,--_THEY_'LL TAKE CARE OF
YOU!"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: AUTOMATIC ARBITRATION.