BESIDE THE YULE= FIRE’S RUDDY LIGHT

Gisborne Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 3711, 21 December 1912, Page 17

BESIDE THE YULE= FIRE’S RUDDY LIGHT

when I shall be forced to leaA’e you. | I won’t go. You neednt’ bring mo anything but gruel. I positively decline to he put on the convalescent list.” i “All right. I’ll make it roast beef.” 1 “You arc cruel.” 5 “Oh, I’m used to this. I can’t, be shut up Avitli ia sick man, he having nothing but bare Avails and me to look at, but he gets an idea into his head that I’m a liouri. I’ve had three propositions of marriage this year, and have them all. I positively decline to accept any more.” “Three propositions! Yon have accepted thnee?” “Yes. Why not? I never hoard from any of the proposers after they were discharged and had a chance to ' come to their senses.” ‘Do you mean to tell me that I shall ever consider you anything but a goddess; that when 1 leave this place—?” “If you ever come back to it—Avkicli you- won’t—yo'u will see that I am a plain, even homely, old niaid, and you

When wint’ry winds blow fierce and chill, And pll the land is veiled in snow. When powdery drifts the hollows fill In mossy dell, or coppice low, When ieebonds curb the river's flow And icicles gleam crystal-bright, We gather, as the shadows grow, Beside the Yule-fire’s ruddy light.

The robin warbles clear and shrill His even-song—the sunset glow Flames redly over moor and bill. The sea moans out-its ancient woe, While blithe frost-elves their gifts bestow On every window-pane to-night, •And flickering shadows come and go, ' Beside the Yulo-fire’s ruddy light.

The rush-spears stand by pond and rill, Tall frozen warriors, all a-row. The dusk creeps on —the night is still, 'the angiy wind has ceased to blow, The crescent moon climbs upward BloW, Through tiny clouds of fleecy white — We tell the tales we used to know,

Beside the Yule-fire’s rudely light. L’ENVOI. The leaping flames dart to and fro, Like- warrior-maids in fearless flight To meet and worst some woncl’rous foe — We dream beside the Yule-fire’s light. Maud E. Sargent.

Little Willie: “Ma, does Santa Claus visit all the houses of the little boys and girls on Christmas Eve?” His Mother: “Yes, dear.” Little Willie: “And does he stop at every chimney?”’ His Mother: “Yes.” Little Willie: “Ho must be pretty quick to'visit them all in one night.” Ilis Mother: “He is, dear.” Little Willie: “I don’t belie a-o that’s how he does it. I think he does some of the work beforehand.” His Mother: ‘ ‘What makes you think so?” _ Litle Willie: “Well, I notice he’s got my presents put away in a cupboard already.” ,■