And then there was sudden silence,
And a gruff old miner said,
"Come, boys, enough of this rumpus;
It's time it was put to bed."
So, looking a little sheepish,
But with faces strangely bright,
The audience, somewhat lingering,
Flocked out into the night.
And the bold-faced leader chuckled,
"He wasn't a bit afraid!
He's as game as he is good-looking;
Boys, that was a show that paid!"
AUNT TABITHA.
BY OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
Whatever I do and whatever I say,
Aunt Tabitha tells me that isn't the way;
When _she_ was a girl (forty summers ago),
Aunt Tabitha tells me they never did so.
Dear aunt! If I only would take her advice--
But I like my own way, and I find it _so_ nice!
And besides, I forget half the things I am told,
But they all will come back to me--when I am old.
If a youth passes by, it may happen, no doubt,
He may chance to look in as I chance to look out;
_She_ would never endure an impertinent stare,
It is _horrid_, she says, and I mustn't sit there.
A walk in the moonlight has pleasures, I own,
But it isn't quite safe to be walking alone;
So I take a lad's arm,--just for safety, you know,--
But Aunt Tabitha tells me, _they_ didn't do so.
Pages:
408
409
410
411
412
413
414
415
416
417
418
419
420
421
422
423
424
425
426
427
428
429
430
431
432