"Yes," said the storekeeper, "I want a good, bright boy to be partly
indoors and partly outdoors."

"That's all right," said the applicant, "but what becomes of me when
the door slams shut?"--_Judge_.




DINING


_Nocturne_

The hour grows late,
And hungrily I wait
To hear her say
Three words--three little words,
Yet great
Enough to bring completeness to the day.

At last she comes,
Cassandra tall and dark--
Oh, very dark! A careless tune she hums,
And pauses shamelessly to mark
How her delay has angered or unnerved
The weak among us. Then she snuffles--Hark!
_"Dinnah am served!"_
--E.W.B.