CHRISTMAS POEMS

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 29, 11 December 1930, Page 23

CHRISTMAS POEMS

J ONCE A YEAR. ' When the dustmau in your passage takes Ilia bat off, When the man who brings' the coals becomes polite, . When the paper girls and boys Cease their early morning noise' And refrain from banging garden, gates for spite; When the butcher lad longer .scarce your cat off, .'■' ; When the milkman clangs no more his honid can* . And the postman,-if he meets you On your doorstep, kindly greets you, You consider you're a happy, happy man. So, when upon your door they are beetowing A variety of double-barrelled knocks, And they smilingly explain ; ' They are calling once again Ppr their annual and customary ' 'boat,'' Though your letter-rack with bills be overflowing, i And the local tax-collectors drawing near You should not become ferocious* {Nor ■■■"do anything atrocious, '^ But remember Christmas comes but once a year. , —Francis Browo.Mt PBETTY MAID. "Where are you going to my pretty maid?*' ''I'm staying just where I ana," she said. . . "Can I stay with you, my pretty maidf; -.''There seems to be fooA for two," ate 'said. "What's that hanging over y OUT head?' '' It looks like a mistletoe bough," «he said. ':' Supposing I kissed you, nay jntfty maid?" x,. *'I should call to my brother for help/ she said. ■ •. •'.Then how can I kiss you, my pretty !'■ maidf" ''' Well—you see, I haven't a, brother,' ' she saia. —Leonard' Warwick. CHmSTMAS SECRETS. This is a secret house, although your own. Therefore, O father, prithee have a.care! - Cough loudly, please, as you descend the stair • Lest you surprise your patient-fingered Joan, : Who ioils to make some little gift ! . /for you, Anc| who would -grieve' if once she thought you knew./ No, not in there, I pray, for that's ■where John Is painting that tremendous Christmas card— : ' • . , He being artist, craftsman, ayc^ and bard!:• ; ; • : And surely never -.eolpui's brighter' shone Than those which soon xvill greet your dazzled eyes "With all the element of glad snrprise. ■ And do not turn the whole place inside out ' Looking for something that you ■ cannot find. ' Oannot you sense 3'our spouse's anxious mind? She has her Christmas secrets, too, no doubt, And her appeal soon makes it doubly clear; • <£Sit down, and lot me find it for youj dear! " And you have secrets also, as I guess, And if--";your near and, dear ones ' goiard their own, Trembling to think soriio chance might make them, known, v I'msure upon reflection you'll confess, That you yourself feel very much the same. Therefore, dear father, kindly play the game! C.E.B. C A little house to keep, A little floor ,to sweep. A little meal to make, A little sweet to .bake. , - , A little friend to know, : A little florrer to grow. ' A little bird to sing, A little hand to cling. •• ■' "n, A little child's caress, A little life to bless. A Tittle grief and pain, - A little cheer again. A little fleeting day, ; , A little prayer to say. • A Ktth? house to keep There is no joy so deep. —Anne Campbell.