Ever against my breast,
Safe in my pocket pressed,
Ready at my behest,
Daintily pretty
Gilt-printed piece of leather,
Though fair or foul the weather,
Daily we go together
Up to the City.
Yet, as I ride at ease,
Papers strewn on my knees,
And I hear "Seasons, please!"
Shouted in warning:
Pockets I search in vain
All through and through again;
"Pray do not stop the train--
Lost it this morning.
No, I have not a card,
Nor can I pay you, guard--
Truly my lot is hard,
This is the reason,
Now I recall to mind
Changing my clothes, I find
I left them all behind,--
Money, cards, 'season.'"
* * * * *
MOTTO FOR THE SOUTH-EASTERN COMPANY'S REFRESHMENT ROOMS.--"O Swallow,
Swallow, flying, flying south!"
* * * * *
[Illustration: AN INQUIRING MIND
"Is this _our_ train, aunty?"
"No, dear."
"Whose train is it?"]
* * * * *
[Illustration: ["An 'Imperial Railway Administration' is now a part of
Chinese bureaucracy."--_Daily Paper._]
If China is to have railways, of course the dragon must enter into the
design of the locomotives, &c., as above.]
* * * * *
[Illustration: MASHONALAND RAILWAY
["Sir Charles Metcalfe, the engineer, is now busy at Umtali arranging
for the station at that place."--_Daily Telegraph._]