[Original Size]
THE MISHAP
"Why art thou weeping, sister?
Why is thy cheek so pale?
Look up, dear Jane, and tell me
What is it thou dost ail?
"I know thy will is froward,
Thy feelings warm and keen,
And that that Augustus Howard
For weeks has not been seen.
"I know how much you loved him;
But I know thou dost not weep
For him;—for though his passion be,
His purse is noways deep.
"Then tell me why those tear-drops?
What means this woeful mood?
Say, has the tax-collector
Been calling, and been rude?
"Or has that hateful grocer,
The slave! been here to-day?
Of course he had, by morrow's noon,
A heavy bill to pay!