THE BUSH BACHELOR.

Otago Witness, Issue 2455, 3 April 1901, Page 67

THE BUSH BACHELOR.

Amidst the beautie3 of the bush, Where a rippling stream flows musically, The sawmill bachelor doth stay, Par, far away from tli' city crush — ; Alone in his hut day after day. Week after week, year in year out; Contented with his humble fare He yearneth not for wedded care. Of woman, maybe never a thought He gives— maybe his very life is fraught With dreams of love and charms more fair' His little world his own ; perhaps A pal may call to while away The steady march of Time and stay As long as sober bachelor chaps j Can smoke and say their^httle say. He grafts all day with saw and axe, Gets tucker with becoming grace, And 3mokes his pipe with smiling face But after 5 is never lax In tidying his little place. Maybe domestic duties then Keep him employed till very late A general washup of plate, A little mending, or the pen Records his doings up to date. He sits and ponders o'er the past, And wonders where he'll be next year, Or if a sweetheart lingers near She does, in dreams that ever last, To tantalise a bachelor! She does, and waiteth only thee, Poor, sorry, sanguine, lonely one— AwaJce and sew a button on, Take stock of bread, of sugar, tea ; Make ready for the morrow's sun. He muses: "No' I don't like single life; I cook my breakfast, dinner, tea, And wash up sometimes ; let me see — ■ Ye gods! methinks I'll get a wife — At least I will have company." From out his pipe lip curls the smoke, And in its cloud his fancy sees Himself, his wife, and on his knees Two children play, and fondly stroke His face, and kiss his laughing eyes! Thus thinking— longing— th' ruddy glow Of embers fade anon and die' He heeds it not, nor seems to know Nor care if his fire is burning low ; And smokes till an impatient sigh. Arouses him — 'tis bedtime now! He makes his bunk, the door is shut, And sleep comes swiftly, silently— The myriad starg gaze wistfully, And angels crowd the rude bush hut In dreams of love till dawn of day. — H. A. COBBLEDICK. March, 1901. — — — —^____ When you cannot sleep for coughing, it is hardly necessary that any one should tell you that you need a few doses of Chamberlain's Cough Remedy to allay the irritation of tho throat, and make sleep possible. It is good. Try it. For gale by all dealers. Price, Is 6d and &k