VARIOUS VERSE.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 66, 15 September 1906, Page 11

VARIOUS VERSE.

PUSSY WILLOW. Tne brook is trimmed with melting snow, The maple-sap is running, And on the highest elm tie crow , His coal-black wing\s is sunning. 3l close green bud the mayfloiver lies . Upon its mossy pillow ; fcml sweet and low tho south wind blows And through the brown fields calling goes, "Como, pussy, pussy willow ;" Within your close, bTown wrapper stir, Come out and show your silver fur; Come, pussy, pussy willow. Soon red will bud the maple trees, The bluebirds will be singing, And yellow tassels in tlhe breeze Be'from the poplars swinging. And rosy will the. Mayflower bo Upon it© mossy pillow ; But you must come the first of all — "Come, pussy," is the south wind's call — "Come, pussy, pussy willow." A fairy gilt to children dear, i The downy firstlings of the yearCome, pussy, pussy willow. — Minneapolis Tribune. THE GIRL WHO LAUGHS. The girl who laughs — God bless her! — Thrice_ blessses herself the while, No music on earth has nobler worth Than that which voices a smile. The girl who laughs — men love her; She lifts from the heart of despair Its burden of woe, and coaxes the glow Of joy to tbe brow of care. The girl who laughs — when sorrow Comes by, and a glistening tear Hns stolen the glints of rainbow tints And pictured a world of cheer. The girl who laughs — life needs her? There is never an hour so sad But wakes and thrills to tho rippling trills Of the laugh of a lass who's glad. —John Howard Todd, in, the Daily Mail. I KNOW A SMALL GIRL. I know a small girl, And she has a long curl Hansring down the left side of her forehead ; She's busy and gay As a sunbeam all day, And I never have once eeen her horrid. She has a small bird — This is true, every word, If you doubt it you'll just beg my pardon — Her bird she doth feed I With red. chillies and seed, And nasturtium leaves out of the garden. She goes io a school Which is under the rule Of a dame in a cap with a frilling, Who carries a strap, And a ruler, to rap All the knuckles of pupils unwilling. When lessons are done Off she goes at a run, To a. dinner of corned beef and> mustard, , Potatoes and peas, Cabin biscuits and cheese, And on Sundays baked apples and custard. Now she's tucked up in Bed, - And her dear golden head 1 Nestles down in the i>illow so cosy— We'll put out the light, And we'll wish her good night — May she sleep till the morning is rosy! — 3Jay Kendall, in the Sydney Mail.