THREE comrades on the German Rhine, Defying care and weather, Together quaffed the mellow wine, And sung their songs together. What recked they of the griefs of life, With wine and song to cheer them? Though elsewhere trouble might be rife, It would not come anear them. Anon one comrade passed away, And presently another, And yet unto the tryst each day Repaired the lonely brother; And still, as gayly as of old, That third one, hero-hearted, Filled to the brim each cup of gold, And called to the departed,-- "O comrades mine! I see ye not, Nor hear your kindly greeting, Yet in this old, familiar spot Be still our loving meeting! Here have I filled each bouting-cup With juices red and cheery; I pray ye drink the portion up, And as of old make merry!" And once before his tear-dimmed eyes, All in the haunted gloaming, He saw two ghostly figures rise, And quaff the beakers foaming; He heard two spirit voices call, "Fiducit, jovial brother!" And so forever from that hall Went they with one another. THE "ST. JO GAZETTE." WHEN I helped 'em run the local on the "St. Jo Gazette," I was upon familiar terms with every one I met; For "items" were my stock in trade in that my callow time, Before the muses tempted me to try my hand at rhyme,-- Before I found in verses Those soothing, gracious mercies, Less practical, but much more glorious than a well-filled purse is. A votary of Mammon, I hustled round and sweat, And helped 'em run the local on the "St. Jo Gazette." The labors of the day began at half-past eight A.M., For the farmers came in early, and I had to tackle them; And many a noble bit of news I managed to acquire By those discreet attentions which all farmer-folk admire, With my daily commentary On affairs of farm and dairy, The tone of which anon with subtle pufferies I'd vary,-- Oh, many a peck of apples and of peaches did I get When I helped 'em run the local on the "St. Jo Gazette." Dramatic news was scarce, but when a minstrel show was due, Why, Milton Tootle's opera house was then my rendezvous; Judge Grubb would give me points about the latest legal case, And Dr. Runcie let me print his sermons when I'd space; Of fevers, fractures, humors, Contusions, fits, and tumors, Would Dr. Hall or Dr. Baines confirm or nail the rumors; From Colonel Dawes what railroad news there was I used to get,-- When I helped 'em run the local on the "St. Jo Gazette."