A BILLIARD LESSON.

Otago Witness, Issue 1005, 4 March 1871, Page 21

A BILLIARD LESSON.

'Twaß pleasant on the winter night* To see beneath the shaded lights, Her golden head bent low ; To watch Ler snowy fingers make A tiny " bridge "—and count each «• break," Of such a gentle foe. And though she said it was a sin To beat her — I could always win, To bear such pretty blame ; And still while winning strokes I made, It seemed to me as if I played

A very losing game. There's kudos in the rattling strokes You make amid a fire of jokes Prom chaffing fellow- men ; And yet when beauty turns away, And pouts at your more skilful play, You've other feelings then. No " hazard " that my cunning cv&, With all my greatest care could do,

Or lucky "fluke " might get, Could ever equal that I ran In playing — miserable man !—

With such a flirting pet. And though I lost such heaps of gloves In betting with her — when one lores

Such losing bets are blest. And since she teased me night and day, I only get at billiard- play. The chances of a " rest." The " cannon " on the table green Will to a Canon come, I ween, Who'll tie me to a wife ; And she with backers not a few, Will quietly put on the " screw," And " pocket" me for life I