Grandpa's Boy

GRANDPA'S BOY- (For the Improvement Era.) "0 grandpa, dear," said Tommy, His eyes ablaze with glee, "Do you remember, grandpa, When jou was young, like me? And did you go a swimming, When mama said 'hugh ugh;' And then come back and tell 'er. You tho't she said, 'ugh hugh." ' 'Pray tell me truly, grandpa, Did you get a lickin' When you never done a thing But chase a neighbor's chicken? Right well I know, dear grandpa, Your patient, kind mama Had something else to do Besides to whip and jaw.

200 IMPROVEMENT ERA. "She didn't 'spect the children To stay in every night, And when they got a whippin', To say that it was right. I don't believe it, grandpa, It don't look good to me; Hut papa says I'm naughty, And do not want to see. "Do you remember, grandpa, When papa was a boy? He says, he went to meetin', And was his 'mother's joy." Don't look so strangely, grandpa, My words they must be true; He also said, 'my father, Was nearly perfect, too.' ' 'That is, he said you told him, To ever prize his birth, And live so that his children, Might follow him on earth. Please tell me truly, grandpa, Did he never once forget, And wade out in the millpond, And get his breeches wet? ' ' 'Tis really hard on papa To live with us down here; For mama she's a mortal, And makes mistakes, poor dear; While I, my goodness, grandpa, I've done such naughty things, Should I become an angel, They'd have to clip my wings! "But still I love you, grandpa, Far more than tongue can tell ; And pray that you and grandma In peace and love may dwell. 'Tis hard to be an angel; But still, if I can live To cheer you, grandma, grandpa, What more can angels give!" Mesa, Arizona. M. A. Stewart