De Hant he come en hollah right above de cabin doo': "What yuh done wif all dem good t'ings dat Ah tole yuh 'bout befo?"

En Ah da.s.sent answeh nothin'! En de ole Hant stay en stay!

When dis n.i.g.g.ah wuzzent lookin', all dem good things run away!

Caught on the Fly.

When Hope comes on the scene, Trouble has urgent business over in the next settlement.

Don't wait to plant a flower for your neighbor until it has to blossom beside his tomb-stone.

Growling at the weather may give the tongue plenty of exercise, but it never buys meat and potatoes or swells the bank account.

Be confident. No coward heart ever won an important battle, and the battle-field of life is the one that demands the fullest courage.

Little Sermons.

Be thankful as long as there is a b.u.t.tered side to your bread; and when the b.u.t.ter runs out, thank G.o.d for the bread!

Charity covers the sins all right, but many a poor sinner gets mighty short of blankets in the cold winter times of folly.

One heart of love and two glad lips of song have lifted many a mediocre soul up the slopes of happiness to the bright, eternal morning.

That New Year Resolution.

Dat New Yaar Resolution He come to me en say: "Ah likes de looks ob dis heah place,-- Ah hope yuh'll lemme stay!"

O, listen, listen, bruddehs!

Ah axed de angel in; Ole Satan come en raised a row, Ah tuhned him out again!

Dat New Yaar Resolution, He scrumpshus company; But dat fust day Ah's satisfied He all too good foh me!

O, listen, listen, bruddehs!

A'll nebbeh tole yuh why, But when ole Satan come erlong Ah knowed it hed toh die!

Dat New Yaar Resolution!

Ah hollahed toh him: "Say!

Dis house am mighty crowded; Ah wush yuh'd go erway!"

O, listen, listen, bruddehs!

Ah choke him in de th'oat; En when ole Satan come erlong, He wrop him in his coat!

"Said Governor Tom."

Said Governor Tom to the law-making boys: "You are green at the bus'ness, I know; It is well that you move rather slow; If you'll let me advise, You'll be worthy and wise, And the people secure in their joys,--"

Said Governor Tom to the boys.

Said Governor Tom to the law-making boys: "I will warn you of dangers that lurk In the ways of your dangerous work; If the lobbies entice, You should take my advice, And turn a deaf ear to their noise,--"

Said Governor Tom to the boys.

Said Governor Tom to the law-making boys: "In the pa.s.sing of measures immense Is involved quite a lot of expense, And the armies that stand When there's peace in the land Are the most unproductive of toys,--"

Said Governor Tom to the boys.

Said Governor Tom to the law-making boys: "It is well to remember the wills Of the people who settle the bills, And the anger that lurks In the hosts at the works Is a matter that greatly annoys,--"

Said Governor Tom to the boys!

The boys heard the message, each sentiment seized, And then went ahead and did just as they pleased; And no one would know From the way that they go, From the money they spend and the peace they destroy, What the Governor said to each law-making boy!

Caught on the Fly.

If some people couldn't worry, or make others worry, they'd never have a moment of happiness.

Don't go gunning for happiness. When you are least expecting it she squats at your feet and hops out to meet you.

Little Sermons.

If there wasn't a Devil, some people would have n.o.body but themselves to blame their sins on.

When we link hands with pleasure for a few minutes, we forget all the wisdom Trouble has taught us through the years.

Some people like to move about so much, that if they bought a ticket for heaven they'd insist on getting a round-trip in order to be on the safe side.

If the golden streets could be dug up and carried off to the smelter, there'd be whole battalions of people lined up before daylight with grubbing-hoes on their shoulders waiting to stake off claims.