Part 9 (1/2)

NANCY BYRD TURNER.

A BATH-TUB JOKE

Clean and sweet from head to feet Is Jerry, but not his twin.

”Now for the other!” says merry mother, And quickly dips him in.

Jim and Jerry, with lips of cherry, And eyes of the selfsame blue; Twins to a speckle, yes, even a freckle-- What can a mother do?

They wink and wriggle and laugh and giggle-- A joke on mother is nice!

”We played a joke,”--'twas Jimmie who spoke,-- ”And you've washed the same boy twice!”

HER OWN WAY

When Polly goes into the parlor to play, She never minds what the little notes say, Nor peeps at a music-book; ”I play by ear,” says the little dear (When some of us think the music's queer), ”So why should I need to look?”

When Polly goes into the kitchen to cook, She never looks at a cookery-book, Nor a sign of a recipe; It's a dot of this and a dab of that, And a twirl of the wrist and a pinch and a pat-- ”I cook by hand,” says she.

THE MONTH OF MAY

It comes just after April, And right before 'tis June; And every bird that's singing Has this same lovely tune: You needn't ask your mother To let you go and play; The very breezes whisper, ”You may! You may! You may!”

There are no frosts to freeze you, And no fierce winds to blow; But winds that seem like kisses, So soft and sweet and slow; The lovely sun is s.h.i.+ning 'Most every single day.

Of course you may go out, dears-- It is the _month_ of ”May”!

THE BIRTHDAY

Bring the birthday-marker!

That's the way to show How much I've been growing Since a year ago.

All my last year's dresses Are too short for me; This one--with the tucks out-- Only to my knee!

Grandpa rubs his gla.s.ses; Whispers, ”Yes, indeed!

How that child is growing-- Growing like a weed!”

Mother's word is sweetest: ”Yes, in sun and shower She's been growing, growing, Growing like a flower!”

BABY'S PLAYTHINGS

Ten cunning little playthings He never is without-- His little wiggle-waggle toes That carry him about.

They look so soft and pinky, And good enough to eat!