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The Shoe That Fitted.

THE minister hit 'em every time,

And when he spoke of fashion,

And riggin' out in bows and things,

As woman's rulin' passion,

And comin' to church to see the styles,

I couldn't help a winkin'

And nudgin' my wife, and says I, "That's you,'

And I guess it sot her to thinkin'.

Just then the minister says, says he,

"And now I've come to the f llers

Who've lost this shower by usin' their friends

As a sort o' moral umbrellas.

Go home," said he, "and find your faults

Instead of huntin' your brother's;

"Go home," says he, "and wear the coats

You tried to fit for others."

My wife she nudged, and Brown he winked,

And there was lots o' smilin',

And lots o' lookin' at our pew,

It sot my blood a bilin',

Says I to myself, our minister

Is gitting a little bitter;

I'll tell him, when meetin's out, that I

Ain't at all that kind of a critter.

Home Song

STAY, stay at home, my heart, and rest;

Home-keeping hearts are happiest;

For those that wander they know not where

Are full of trouble and full of care;

To stay at home is best.

Weary and homesick and distressed,

They wander east, they wander west,

And are baffled and beaten and blown about

By the winds of the wilderness of doubt;

To stay at home is best.

Then stay at home, my heart, and rest;

The bird is safest in its nest;

O'er all that flutter their wings and fly

A hawk is hovering in the sky;

To stay at home is best.

LONGFELLOW

The Hired Squirrel.

A LION to the squirrel said:

"Work faithfully for me.

And when your task is done, my friend,

Rewarded you shall be

With barrelful of finest nuts fresh from

My own nut tree."

"My lion king," the squirrel said, "to this

I do agree."

The squirrel toiled both day and night

Quite faithful to his hire;

So hungry and so faint, sometimes,

He thought he must expire.

But still he kept his courage up, and tugged

With might and main.

"How nice the nuts will taste," he thought,

"When I my barrel gain."

At last, when he was nearly dead,

And thin, and old and gray.

Quoth lion: "There's no more hard work

You're fit to do. I'll pay."

A barrelful of nuts he gave--ripe, rich,

And big, but ob!

The squirrel's tears ran down his cheeks;

He'd lost his teeth, you know.

'SPRING."--AFTER THE ORIGINAL BY J. R. WEHLE.