If the art of more skillful tailors figures to any extent in luring fair woman into horsemanship, then much honor to the tailor, though he be, as tradition has it, but one ninth of a man. The fact that more women ride now than formerly is good enough reason why more men are at present enthusiastic riders; for where the girls are there shall the men be also. HALLOWE’EN. (October 31st.) I. At Hallowe’en, so calm and still, All frisky spirits are astir: The fairies haunt the vale and hill, And witch-like elves meet to confer. II. But we can well keep free from those, For by the fireside round about Sweet rosy maids meet with their beaux To spell their future fortune out. III. Chestnuts or walnuts, pair by pair, Are put upon the living coals, And if they lie contented there They represent two happy souls. IV. Some eat an apple, while they stare Within the telltale looking glass: And as they eat and comb their hair The fated face is sure to pass V. Before their eyes. Some pull the kale; Some try the oats, or size the sack; Some seek the rivulet in the vale, Some hemp seed sow for answer back. VI. Ah, me! How many spells of old To tell our fortunes I have seen; No sweeter charm does memory hold, Than those past hours of Hallowe’en. [Illustration] [Illustration] A LIFE’S SPECULATIONS. When a wee child I used to wonder why The bright stars fell not from the bending sky, For I no sky line saw to hold them by, When told of angels up beyond the blue, I used to wonder if the winged crew Flew races, when they’d nothing else to do. A little later, as around I played, And saw that young girls were so frail and ’fraid, I wondered why on earth a maid was made. No mortal use the timid things could be That a philosopher of six could see— So great a mystery was the sex to me. A few years more, when youth’s expansive flame Put my philosophy of six to shame, A greater mystery the sex became. Next into college I for knowledge went And wondered at the time so vainly spent— Four years for learning things not worth a cent! A year of lounging in that sacred place, Then round the world to see the human race I wandered, and my wonder grew apace. More than seven marvels had the world for me, And this the greatest: why the poor should be Slaves of the rich men, when they might be free. But having had sufficient time to cool My fancy in this tough world’s roughest school I give up life’s conundrums—as a rule. Yet such is habit—howsoe’er we try— The other day I fell to wondering why In Yankee taverns they serve cheese with pie. _Henry W. Austin._ AN ACCIDENTAL ROMANCE. _By Matthew White, Jr._