The frisky little Shetlands now are growin' shaggy coats An' acquirin' silken mufflers of their own to guard their throats; An' a Russian wolf-hound puppy left its mother yesterday, An' a tinge o' sorrow touched us as we saw it go away. For the sight was full o' meanin', an' we knew, when it had gone, 'Twas a symbol of the partin's that the years are bringin' on. Oh, a feller must be better--to his faith he can't help stickin' Off yonder with the Pelletiers when spies are ripe fer pickin'. The year is almost over, now at dusk the valleys glow With the misty mantle chillin', that is hangin' very low. An' each mornin' sees the maples just a little redder turned Than they were the night we left 'em, an' the elms are browner burned. An' a feller can't help feelin', an' I don't care who it is, That the mind that works such wonders has a greater power than his. Oh, I know that I'll remember till life's last few sparks are flickin' The lessons out at Pelletiers when spies were ripe for pickin'. {138} WHEN PA COMES HOME When Pa comes home, I'm at the door, An' then he grabs me off the floor An' throws me up an' catches me When I come down, an' then, says he: "Well, how'd you get along to-day? An' were you good, an' did you play, An' keep right out of mamma's way? An' how'd you get that awful bump Above your eye? My, what a lump! An' who spilled jelly on your shirt? An' where'd you ever find the dirt That's on your hands? And my! Oh, my! I guess those eyes have had a cry, They look so red. What was it, pray? What has been happening here to-day? An' then he drops his coat an' hat Upon a chair, an' says: "What's that? Who knocked that engine on its back An' stepped upon that piece of track?" An' then he takes me on his knee An' says: "What's this that now I see? Whatever can the matter be? Who strewed those toys upon the floor, An' left those things behind the door? Who upset all those parlor chairs An' threw those blocks upon the stairs? I guess a cyclone called to-day While I was workin' far away. Who was it worried mamma so? It can't be anyone I know." An' then I laugh an' say: "It's me! Me did most ever'thing you see. Me got this bump the time me tripped. An' here is where the jelly slipped Right off my bread upon my shirt, An' when me tumbled down it hurt. That's how me got all over dirt. Me threw those building blocks downstairs, An' me upset the parlor chairs, Coz when you're playin' train you've got To move things 'round an awful lot." An' then my Pa he kisses me An' bounces me upon his knee An' says: "Well, well, my little lad, What glorious fun you must have had!" {140} MOTHER'S DAY