The Cairo bulletin., 1906-05-12
But then. you know, you have II dear.

I'd give thee all the gems divine
That Mother Nature doth entwne
| Within her bosom, laces fine
Tom stops, Il cant get the next
line. You see, II must rhyme with
dear"
Had million dollars clear"
laughingiy she replies.
mo, that isn't quite what | want.
Think of something with little
| pathos."
Read it again. and leaning her
chin on her hand, she listens with a
pretty meditative air. wrinlSling her
forehead as she cudgels her brain for
an idea.
Tom watches her anxiously, with
pencil ready.
Had diamond for each tear" she
repeats triumphanty.
you're trump--the very thing!
reads aloud
Now for the second verse" His
ideas evidently are coming faster, for
the pencil moves rapidly. She watches
him with an amused, tender express
sion. She pictures him. with head on
one side, writing his first valentine to
her Presently he pauses.
I'm stuck again agree with Gift.
ed Hopkins, the English language is
abomnable Here I'm held in check in
f,fft a1 Of a
paltry word to rhyme with gap.
Let me see il can't help you" and
leaning over his chair she reads aloud:
castle off in Sunny Spain;
A kingdom fair for thee to reign.
I'd gladly give II they were mine.
Had | a purse that wide did gap
There's where the rub comes in and
the rhyme doesn't"
well, I'd change it somewhat" and
then, trying very hard to be serious,
she recites:
I'D quickly buy big knapsack
My gold to hold"
NOV Carrie, that's mean"
Wei, dear, to be serious" Shs
thinks for a moment How would
this do?"
Had / a purse that wide did gap
With yellow coin. within thy lap
ia gladly pour my golden store"
Finely Now don't say a word"
no eyclaims, as she is about to speak.
I've got the ending in my head She
looks on it and in a moment he fin
ishes
"Now, here are the last lines;
"The only thing / have to send
Is love--a love that knows no end"
That's awfully pretty!" she cries
clappipg her hands why, don't you
take it around to a paper now"
Il believe | will"
"Aud Tom' She calls out as he il
pulling ON his coat in the hall, eff it
isn't accepted don't be discouraged
wen have ii framed"
She stands and mods to him from the
window. Dear Tom" she says, and
then adds, foolish fellow, TO write me
a valentine"
Tom presents himself at the Office Of
the Epoch. and is duly ushered into
The EDITORS room. AS he enters the
aoor, he sees that the editor IS still
looking at his card.
What can / do for you Mr. Trav-
srs?" looking up koenly a Tom
Tom hesitates. Il have poem-a
St. Valentines poem ] would Ike 10 /.
show you"
Did you write that to your LADY, .
lover" says the editor quickly.
No -well--yos. Tom bushes
title. The fact is, wrote it to my .
wife"
"You did. eh!" excaims the editor,
ather brusquely, tho Tom thinks he
sees something glistening in the edi-
or's eye "Well, it isn't bad Say I'll .
i've you five dollars for it," Tom is
'verjoyed
'You must have a sweet wife, ell ?"
avs the editor looking up at 10
thile writing out the check
Best in the world"
"Well. take good care Of her" and
a hands over the check "And-giyo
Ter my love. Good.day.'
The editor has been sitting thinking.
nth his head resting on his hand for
long time A tear trickles through
is fingers. Il knew the name as soon
g | saw it. And so that's the fellow
he married. Wen, and he's writing
or valentine, and they've been mar.
led, let's see. yes. six years. can't
ublish g. taking mp Toms valentine.
ut III keep IL. and he places it Ia
lis desk. and another tear falls from
he editors eye
Put Cotton in His Ears.