"Why, what's this, Ben, they're telling me?--
Eighty and going to get a wife!
Gaffer, I thought you'd surely be
A snug old bachelor for life."
"Well, Sur, ye see I allus meant
To take ole Martha some fine day;
But 'wed in haste and then repent'
I heer'd as many folks did say.
"But now, thinks I, there's sure no fear
Through too much haste o' goin' wrong;
"An', anyways, at eighty year
I can't repent fur wery long."
* * * * *
THE GREATEST PATRIOT OF ALL: A public servant who did not strike
during the War--Big Ben.
* * * * *
[Illustration: EFFECT ON BALLROOM IF, OWING TO THE STRIKE MANIA, THE
MUSICIANS WERE SUDDENLY TO "DOWN INSTRUMENTS."]
* * * * *