What a stroke of good luck!  For, like little Jack Horner,
    She put in her finger and pulled out a plum;
  Yet there once was a time when we sat in a corner—­
    AMARYLLIS and I—­though her mother looked glum. 
  If I do not forget, it took place in December,
    But I recollect better one evening in June,
  And, for all that has happened, I like to remember
    What we whispered and said by the light of the moon.

  But a truce to such thoughts, she has married another,
    I must tidy away all the memories of yore. 
  There’s a smile on the face of her match-making mother,
    And her family rejoice as they ne’er have before. 
  It has happened.  Her mother, I know, always said it
    Would prove to be so with her beautiful girl,
  And the fair AMARYLLIS has done herself credit
    Now she’s married the catch of the season—­an Earl.

  What she did, after all, was perhaps for the best meant. 
    She may even be fond of her Earl—­who can tell? 
  In the business of Life she has made her investment,
    Which I trust most sincerely she will find pay her well. 
  And as for myself my ambition just nil is,
    With my pipe and my dog I shall stay on the shelf,
  Though allow me to tell you, my dear AMARYLLIS,
    I’d have made you an excellent husband myself.

* * * * *

[Illustration:  What will he do with it?]

A PUZZLER, FOR EVEN SIR ANDR-W CL-RK, BART.  M.D.—­Case of dyspepsia.  What ought to be prescribed for a patient suffering from severe indigestion, caused by having eaten his own words? Perhaps one of the most distinguished members of the Medical Congress, possessing a great experience among Cabinet Ministers and other Parliamentary celebrities, will oblige with “a solution”?  And this is a perfectly serious question, although it certainly sounds as if it were only intended for a Roose.

* * * * *

MR. CLIP’S APPEAL.

[The Hairdressers’ Early Closing Association of London (whose Central Office is at 6, Swallow Street, Piccadilly, W., and whose President is Mr. W.J.  REED, and Hon. Sec., Mr. A.M.  SUTTON), has for object “to secure and maintain one early-closing day per week, suitable to the neighbourhood, and to generally assist in obtaining time for rest and recreation, and promote better and healthier conditions for hairdressers.”]

[Illustration:  HAIR AND HEXERCISE; OR, TAKING THE HAIR ON A ’OLE ’OLIDAY.]

  Dear BOB,—­There’s a stir in our noble Profession. 
    The hope of the Hairdresser, silent so long,
  At last, like most others, is finding expression. 
    We’ve started, dear BOB, and are now going strong. 
  Early Closing’s our object, which means that on one day
    We want to shut up shops and scissors at five! 
  Perhaps Saturday’s best, BOB, as coming next Sunday—­
    Don’t seem asking much, if they’d keep us alive.