The Winslow mail., 1909-11-20


glanced disconsolately at his favorite
newspaper, and his heart was like lead
within him.
And even as he read smile broke
forth from the gloom that overshad
owed his face, and this smile was like
unto the first faint flush of the waken
ing East, and he arose with gurgle
some glee as does one whose mind is
relieved of a mighty burden.
And he communed with himself
softly, saying: Politics. 'Tis a pipe,"
And Billdad the son of Jimdad
called his wife to his side. and he
spake unto her, saving: Maud. the
soft whiteness of thy cheek is fairer
than the bloom that loves to linger on
the lilies of the Nile. Thine eyes are
twin thieves, which by some sorcery
have ia EN- the light from yon poor
weeping star. and now that light must
lurk forever in those languorously
limpid depths, Thy smile, o Maud. is
like the scintillating sweetness of
summers sky!"
And Maud, the wife of Billdad the
son of Jimdad, made answer, and said:
What talk have We, Billdad? Quit
your joshing, or I'll baste you with the
broom. Got to go out again tonight
suppose. What is it this time? The
Inner Circle of the Royal Sons of
Krupp Gun? Oh is it the Ancient Or
der of the Accidental Dollar Bill?"
And Billdad the son of Jimdad an
swered and said: NAY, sweet wife of
my weary heart, tits none of these.
"Tis politics that beckons me forth
into the noisome night. Knowst thou
not that the two Great Parties will
soon have to grapple in. the final death
struggle, and my uncertain vote still
wavers in the winds of indecision?
Therefore, this night, wife of my
weary heart, / go forth to join a gar
rulous group of statisticians, astrolog-
lists, soothsayers, and seers to the end
that my eyes may clearly see the light
and my vote may count upon the side
of Right. Be thou of good cheer, be-
loved, for | shall sit at the feet of the
wise men of Egypt and imbibe much
wisdom. Wherefore, thou need'st not
an Owl-train for lateness, and the
soothsayers say not neither do they
sooth until the world is in the dead
Of night"
And Billdad the son of Jimdad went
forth to sit at the feet of the wise men
of Egypt And it came to pass that
full soon his heaving bosom rested on
the onyx trimmings of the bar, and his
right foot was in tender touch with
the brass rail at the base thereof.
And great Joy shone forth from
his eyes as he murmured: six beers
what are you going to have?"
And when the night was far spent,
Rilldad the son of Jimdad drew zig
zaggingly high unto his habitation,
aud his knees were prone to wobhle
with much uncertainty of purpose.
And Maud. the wife of Billdad the
sen of Jimdad, stood in the open door
and she made scornful conjecture.
saying: ''Ha, Ha, Thou did'st sit
a. the feet of the wise men of Egypt,
Ch2 Thou looR'st the part, for. me-
thinks. the wise men of Egypt used
you for door-mat Thou did'st also
iGlhibe wisdom-from a stein, Bah.
Biildadi Speak not to me of politics,
Come, now, stand before me- Billdad,
ard with straightforward voice say
after me these words. I simply stood
and heard those speakers shout"
And Billdad the son of Jimdad
swayed gently to and fro in the light
Of the breaking morn. and he spake
saying: Z shimply sh ood an her
Zoash sheekers spout"
And of the fretful finish of Billdad
the sen of Jimdad lei there be no cruel
chronicle made.
Pebbleonthebeach
And it came to pass that q certain
City Man looked upon the sun when it
was red. and he communed with him
self, saying: Behold the summer