UNKIND.

Our Minor Poet. "I believe I should enjoy my Holidays much more if I went Incognito."

Friend. "Travel under your Nom de Plume, Old Man!"


THE FLIRTGIRL'S REPLY. [A]

A Poem of Common Sense.

Dear Sir, I've read through your delectable lines—

Though the cap doesn't fit, I will wear it;

And hope (though I don't know your private designs)

You regret that such verses were e'er writ!

There's flirting and flirting, you don't seem to know,

Nor need a young woman be heartless,

Who thinks that, by having five strings to her bow,

The four she rejects will thus smart less.

Pray how can I help, if my features attract

And my sympathy wins each fond lover?

Alas, when they're conquered, I own 'tis the fact

That their weak points I sadly discover!

It may be, in spite of your captious alarm,

I shall yet enjoy bliss hymeneal;

If this is my aim, not to jilt, where's the harm

In my search for a husband ideal?

[ [A] See page 141