"Oh, see, mama!" she cried. "A gentleman gave me this. He said it would last us a whole year." The pale woman unrolled the package with trembling hands. It was a nice new calendar. Eugene Field No gift his genius might have had Of titles high, in church and state, Could charm him as the one he bore, Of children's poet-laureate. He smilingly pressed aside his bays And laurel garlands that he won, And bowed his head for baby hands To place a daisy wreath upon. He found his kingdom in the ways, Of little ones he loved so well, For them he tuned his lyre and sang. Sweet simple songs of magic spell. Ah! greater feat to storm the gates Of children's pure and cleanly hearts, Than to subdue a warring world By stratagems and doubtful arts. A tribute paid by chanting choirs And pealing organs rises high; But soft and clear, somewhere he hears Through all, a child's low lullaby. Slightly Mixed A certain Houston racing man was married some months ago. He also is the proud possessor of a fine two-year-old filly that has made five and a half furlongs in 1:09 and he expects her to do better at the next races. He has named the filly after his wife and both of them are dear to his heart. A Post man who ran across him yesterday found him quite willing to talk. "Yes," he said, "I am the happiest man in Texas. Bessie and I are keeping house now and getting quite well settled down. That filly of mine is going to do wonders yet. Bessie takes as much interest in her as I do. You know I have named her for my wife. She is a thoroughbred. I tell you it's fine to see her trotting around at home." "Who, the filly?" "No, my wife. She's going to bet twelve dozen pairs of kid gloves on Bessie next time she goes in. I have but one objection to her. She goes with her head on one side and is cross-legged, and tears off her shoes. "Your w-w-wife?" "No, what's the matter with you? The filly. It pleases me very much to have my friends inquire about Bessie. She is getting to be quite a favorite. I had hard work to get her, too. She trots double without a break." "The filly, you mean?" "No, my wife. I took Bessie out driving with the filly yesterday. Bessie's a daisy. She's a little high in one shoulder, and a trifle stiff in one leg, but her wind is all right. What do you think of her back?" "Really, I--I--I never had the pleasure of meeting your wife, but I have no doubt--" "What are you talking about? I mean the filly. The races come off just on the anniversary of our marriage. The races are going to be a big thing. You know we have been married just a year. I expect Bessie to do wonders. There's a newcomer going to be here, that we are looking for with much interest. You must really come out and see our first event." "I--I--I really, it would be indelicate--you must really excuse me. I never saw anything of the kind. I--I--"