When Willie first began the game, He saw but little in it, And often wondered how he came To let himself begin it; But soon he learned the ball to hit A mighty blow elastic, And shouted at the rise of it With yells enthusiastic. He talked so much of hits and runs, Of strikes and fouls and bases, That we, the poor admiring ones, Could hardly hold our faces; His boasting never found an end, His bat was always ready, And every day he had to spend Some hours in practice steady. He never seemed prepared for meals,-- The game held him completely; He kept so busy making "steals." And running home so neatly; And if a "home run" batted he, We could forget it never; His talk would all about it be Forever and forever! Sometimes I think that Willie's game Is like the game life's playing: At first we wonder how we came Around here to be staying; And then we find the game is worth The stakes that humans stagger, And anxious are to win the earth With "home run" or "three-bagger." We practice up from day to day To gain applause and prizes, And fool the precious hours away With toilsome exercises; Yet 'tis worth while whate'er the strife, Whatever you are doing, To play your best the game of life And keep the prize pursuing. Little Sermons. Love pardons where the law condemns. It's a poor religion that joins the church for popularity. Both God and the Devil know that neither of them can depend on the hypocrite. A cup of cold water bestowed in mercy has more christian qualities than millions of dollars given for the astonishment of men. With the May-time Blossoms. I. Out with the May-time blossoms! How sweet is the May-time song, Far from the griefs and sorrows and all of the cries of wrong! II. Out with the May-time blossoms, where the pleasures dance the light, And Love is a laughing fairy that kisses the lilies white! III. Out with the May-time blossoms, where the mocking-bird is king, And the songs of the thrush in chorus with all of the laughters ring! IV. Out with the May-time blossoms! For the lilies lead the way, And the roses blush their greetings and Love is the Queen of May! V. And the breezes whisper "Welcome" and sweet is the vale and stream! And life with the rose and lily is only a lover's dream! VI. Out with the May-time blossoms! Let youth and her fancies play, For Love is the light of the lily and Love is the rose's way! Caught on the Fly. Even a dead lie has a poisonous sting. Social stars are not all of the first magnitude. Grit in men and granite in stone are similar qualities. Good opinions are valuable only as they come from good people. Love never yet held poison to the lips or poured vitriol in a wound.