Charley was a city boy, Father's pet and mother's joy; Always lay in bed till late; That's what made his hair so straight, Late he sat up every night,-- That's what made his cheeks so white; Always had whate'er he wanted, He but asked, and mother granted; Cakes and comfits made him snarly, Sweets but soured this poor Charley. Charley, dressed quite like a beau, Went, one day, to visit Joe. "Come," said Joey, "let's go walking; As we wander, we'll be talking; And, besides, there's something growing In the garden, worth your knowing." "Ha!" said Charley, "I'm your guest; Therefore I must have the best. All the _inner_ part I choose, And the _outer_ you can use." Joey gave a little laugh; "Let's," said he, "go half and half." "No, you don't!" was Charley's answer, "I look out for number one, sir." But when they arrived, behold, On the tree a peach of gold, All without, fair, ripe and yellow, Fragrant, juicy, tempting, mellow, And, within, a gnarly stone. "There," said Joey, "that's your own; As you choose, by right of guest, Keep your choice--I'll eat the rest." [Illustration: {A PORTRAIT OF CHARLEY.}] Charley looked as black as thunder, Scarce could keep his temper under. "'Twas too bad, I think," said Joe; "Through the cornfield let us go, Something there, perhaps we'll see That will suit you to a T." "Yes," said Charles, with accent nipping, "Twice you will not catch me tripping; Since I lost the fruit before, You now owe me ten times more. Now the _outer_ part I choose, And the _inner_ you can use." Joey gave another laugh; "Better call it half and half." "No, indeed!" was Charley's answer, "I look out for number one, sir! Well I know what I'm about,-- For you, what's in; for me what's out!" On they went, and on a slope Lay a luscious cantaloupe, Rich and rare, with all the rays From the August suns that blaze; Quite _within_ its sweets you find, And _without_ the rugged rind. Charley gazed in blank despair, Deeply vexed and shamed his air. "Well," said Joey, "since you would Choose the bad and leave the good; Since you claimed the outer part, And disdained the juicy heart,-- Yours the rind, and mine the rest; But as you're my friend and guest, Charley, man, cheer up and laugh, And we'll share it half and half; Looking out for number one Doesn't always bring the fun." [Illustration: {AT WORK IN THE STUDIO.}] WOODCROFT.