The Reading Club and Handy Speaker

"Who was she, Fred?"

“Ah! that's just it ;

I couldn't e'en discover

Her name, or anything at all
About her. Broken-hearted,
I saw it wasn't any use
To try; so off I started,

And here I am, disconsolate."

"All for an unknown charmer!

You're soft, my boy. Let's stroll abaft; The sea is growing calmer;

Or forward, if you like. The view May make your feelings rally.

We're drawing near to France; in half An hour shall be at Calais.

See! there's the town, and just this side The port with shipping in it ;

And there, beyond, you see the spires, And-"

"Here, Will, stop a minute. By Jove! look there! that girl in gray, With red flowers in her bonnet!

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Only a boy, yet he saw that pin,
And his face assumed a fiendish grin ;
He stooped for a while, with look intent,
Till he and the pin alike were bent.

Only a chair, but upon its seat
A well-bent pin found safe retreat;
Nor had the keenest eye discerned
That heavenward its point was turned.

Only a man; but he chanced to drop
Upon that chair; when, fizz-bang-pop!
He leaped like a cork from out a bottle,
And opened wide his valve de throttle.

Only a yell, though an honest one,
It lacked the element of fun;
And boy and man, and pin and chair
In wild confusion mingled there.

THE

READING CLUB

AND

HANDY SPEAKER:

BEING

SERIOUS, HUMOROUS, PATHETIC, PATRIOTIC, AND DRAMATIC SELECTIONS IN

PROSE AND POETRY,

FOR

READINGS AND RECITATIONS.

EDITED BY

GEORGE M. BAKER.