(_Showing the effect of official phraseology on love-letters._)
Dearest Mary, this delay
In the fixing of the day
Drives all happiness away
From my ken.
If you _only_ will decide
When you'll be my blushing bride
You will see me glorified--
If and when.
They have promised me a rise
When the senior partner dies;
He is eighty and he lies
Very ill;
But until you seal your "Yes"
By a notice in the Press
I shall not feel safe--unless
And until.
* * * * *
"Bicycles of old-fashioned design acquired a new lease of life, and
took to the road, where they were joined by pony traps in which father,
mother and many children, all with crimped hair and white pinafores,
were tightly packed."--_Daily Paper_.
Father, we are told, looked a perfect darling.
* * * * *
[Illustration: THE RULING PASSION.
_Absentee._ "I WAS PLAYING FOOT-BA' IN THE STREET, AND THE POLICE TOOK AND
LOCKED ME UP FOR FOUR HOURS."
_Teacher._ "DID YOU GET ANYTHING TO EAT?"
_Absentee._ "AY--A HARD ROLL."
_Teacher_. "WHAT DID YOU DO WITH IT?"
_Absentee_. "PLAYED FOOT-BA'."]
* * * * *