_style_.
The 'Bus is the poor body's kerridge, young feller--and as for your talk
About not never missing a lift, or forgetting--dear sakes!--_how_ to walk,
And the nice quiet streets and all that; why it's clear _you_ ain't been
a poor clerk
With a precious small "screw," in wet weather. Ah! you wouldn't find it
no lark
With thin boots and a 'ard 'acking cough, and three mile every day to and
thro',
Or a puffy old woman like me, out at Witsuntide wisiting JOE,
(My young son in the greengrocer line); or a governess, peaky and pale,
As has just overslep herself slightly, and can't git by cab or by rail.
"Ugly lumbering wehicles?" Ah! and we're ugly and lumbering too,
A lot of us poor Penny 'Bus fares, as isn't high-born or true-blue.
But the 'Bus is our help. Wery like some do ride as had far better walk,
Whether tip-toppy swells or poor shop-girls. But all that is trumpery talk.
What I arsk is, why shouldn't the 'Buses be kept a bit reglar, like Cabs,
In the matter of fares and of distances? Oh, a old woman it crabs
To hear of Perprietors pinching pore fellers as drive or conduck,
While the "Pirates" play up merry mag with the poor helpless fare, as gets
stuck
Betwixt Dividend-grinders and Strikers? It ought to be altered, _I_ say.
Whilst they talk of what 'Bus-folk should earn, they forget the pore
Publick--who _pay_!

* * * * *

LE PRINCE S'AMUSE.

_AN APOLOGETIC IDYL._