"Thet Oi hev, Pat."

"An' how is the poor bye gettin' on?"

"The divil take it, Pat, thet's whut breaks his mither's heart ontoirely. He wroites me thet he hez jest bin sintinced to the Legislachoor fer two years!"

Life, and labor along its way, Life, and a shade of sorrow; But Love is there with her lips of song, And the sun shines out tomorrow!

To live life happily, to work life earnestly, to leave life fearlessly,--what greater success ever crowned with ivied laurels the infinite brows of Adam's mortal sons?

On Behalf of the Minority.

Note--(The Oklahoma Legislature has a republican majority in both houses, and the following is supposed to be uttered by one of the democratic minority.)

To the Sleek and Fat Majority: We recognize your smoke, And in meek and humble fashion we have pa.s.sed beneath the yoke; We've no foolish reservations: all the earth is yours to claim With the grandeur of its glory and the fullness of its fame; So accept our due submission; all we ask is that you give Ample chance to filibuster and preserve the right to live!

In the manner that Respectable Minorities behave, We shall justify the t.i.tle while the heathen rage and rave; And according as 'tis written we shall every one be good, Though we smash the logs you're rolling into fancy kindling-wood, While we stir the sleeping animals with long and lively prods To the pleasure of the nations and the laughter of the G.o.ds!

And we pity you sincerely! You had quite a job at hand To divide the loaves and fishes as the bosses made command!

Fifty places for five hundred hungry souls that wild cavort Is a work requiring statesmen of the most exalted sort: And we weep our tears of sorrow as we're looking on at you, While you b.u.mp the heads of many and anoint the chosen few!

You shall pa.s.s appropriations, tossing out the toothsome "pork,"

In a way to please the faithful and to keep the "boys at work;"

And whatever seems the proper thing majorities should do, Why, the ocean's there before you and the course is up to you; But remember as you voyage that we have a little boat, And we're always steering madly tow'rd a record making vote!

We'll play our own part bravely, and we'll play it o'er and o'er: Approve, condemn, and criticize, like statesmen gone before; We'll rant about "the people, sir!" and shout "economy!"

And stab appropriation bills each opportunity; And long preserve our "honesty"--unstained and white as snow: Since you have swiped the offices, that's all we have, you know!

And our task shall be most pleasant! Underneath the shade we'll flop While you fellows do the sweating for the legislative crop!

We shall criticize your labors; if you reach the roads of doubt, We shall lend the hand of wisdom and in mercy lead you out; And at last, the harvest gathered, we shall sift the good and true For our own exalted portion while we leave the bad for you!

And after while the time will come, howbeit soon or late, When we shall guide the government and steer the ship of state,-- When we shall trade our craft for yours, and our proud flag shall float O'er battle-ships of greater things as people then shall vote; And then we'll show you something else beyond the hearty strife, And do our best to visit you with touch of higher life!

At Valentine's Day.

The Wind came out of the poppied East, And said to heart of the lonely earth: "I bring you laughter and love increased, And all the music of might and mirth; I bring you dreams that were born above, And melting kisses as sweet as wine; And one waits lorn with her lips of love And dimpled arms, for her Valentine."

The Wind came out of the brazen North, And said to heart of the grieving world: "I bring a message, I call you forth Where Love the flags of her faith unfurled; I tell of peace that is sweeter far Than song that croons where the tropics twine; For one waits long 'neath the northern star With eyes of love, for her Valentine."

The Wind came out of the winsome West, And said to heart of the longing race: "I bring you tidings of all that's best, Of love and laughter and loved one's face; I come from red of the reeling sun, I bring you dreams of the things divine, And at the rim of the world waits one Who lists for the call of her Valentine."

The Wind came out of the sweet-breathed South, And said: "I carry her call to thee; She waits with songs in her mellow mouth,-- She waits, and her lips like the corals be!

She waits with embraces of long delights, And eyes that utter a language fine,-- There, there, in the aisles of the romping nights, She waits for the call of her Valentine."

O, call of this world to the world that dreams,-- Sweet call of the Near to the Soul Afar,-- Beyond the shadows of earth's cold themes, There's one that waits where the love lights are!

There's one that waits with her cheeks aglow, And eyes earth-round with a fearless shine, And Near and Far with their linked hands go To mate with the fate of their Valentine!

Little Sermons.

There is more religion in a home full of bread and b.u.t.ter than a hotel full of canvas-back and terrapin.

If the Lord sends a tin-cup full of happiness, don't spend your time upbraiding Him for not supplying a ship-load.

Some people are so unreasonable that if the Lord sent them a turkey they would raise a row because he didn't furnish a barrel of cranberries, too.

A Valentine.

Don't you dare to tell me Love is old and gray!

He's as young and rosy As the blooms of May!

Don't you dare to tell me Love is wed with wrong!

All his deeds are holy With the smiles of song!

Don't you dare to tell me Love is only strife!

Hands of his shall lead us To the perfect life!

Love and hope with happy Feet shall scale the sky, Through the dismal shadows To the bye and bye!

Its Princ.i.p.al Work.

"Has the Legislature done much?" inquired one anxious citizen of another.

"No, not much," was the answer. "Its princ.i.p.al act was to pa.s.s a bill repealing Ground Hog day, but they fear the Governor will veto it."