And our task shall be most pleasant! Underneath the shade we'll flop While you fellows do the sweating for the legislative crop! We shall criticize your labors; if you reach the roads of doubt, We shall lend the hand of wisdom and in mercy lead you out; And at last, the harvest gathered, we shall sift the good and true For our own exalted portion while we leave the bad for you! And after while the time will come, howbeit soon or late, When we shall guide the government and steer the ship of state,-- When we shall trade our craft for yours, and our proud flag shall float O'er battle-ships of greater things as people then shall vote; And then we'll show you something else beyond the hearty strife, And do our best to visit you with touch of higher life! At Valentine's Day. The Wind came out of the poppied East, And said to heart of the lonely earth: "I bring you laughter and love increased, And all the music of might and mirth; I bring you dreams that were born above, And melting kisses as sweet as wine; And one waits lorn with her lips of love And dimpled arms, for her Valentine." The Wind came out of the brazen North, And said to heart of the grieving world: "I bring a message, I call you forth Where Love the flags of her faith unfurled; I tell of peace that is sweeter far Than song that croons where the tropics twine; For one waits long 'neath the northern star With eyes of love, for her Valentine." The Wind came out of the winsome West, And said to heart of the longing race: "I bring you tidings of all that's best, Of love and laughter and loved one's face; I come from red of the reeling sun, I bring you dreams of the things divine, And at the rim of the world waits one Who lists for the call of her Valentine." The Wind came out of the sweet-breathed South, And said: "I carry her call to thee; She waits with songs in her mellow mouth,-- She waits, and her lips like the corals be! She waits with embraces of long delights, And eyes that utter a language fine,-- There, there, in the aisles of the romping nights, She waits for the call of her Valentine." O, call of this world to the world that dreams,-- Sweet call of the Near to the Soul Afar,-- Beyond the shadows of earth's cold themes, There's one that waits where the love lights are! There's one that waits with her cheeks aglow, And eyes earth-round with a fearless shine, And Near and Far with their linked hands go To mate with the fate of their Valentine! Little Sermons. There is more religion in a home full of bread and butter than a hotel full of canvas-back and terrapin. If the Lord sends a tin-cup full of happiness, don't spend your time upbraiding Him for not supplying a ship-load.