fancy--
For I always have found,--and I'm happy to say it,--
'Tis a jolly good game if one knows how to play it!

II.

The Dealer sits yonder,--the hands that he serves us--
The brains and the beauty and courage that nerves us,--
And strength for the struggle; and then he gives warning,
To play to the ceiling till dawn of the morning!

III.

And mighty the stakes that he sets us to try for!
Fame, Fortune and Honor, and Love, that men die for!
The Sword, or the Crown, or the Star, or the Garter,
And all the high winnings men bargain and barter!

IV.

He deals us the hand,--and no one may discard it!
The game must go on with no power to retard it!
And whether the hand be a good one or bad one,
He asks of us only to play it a glad one.

V.

Then let people talk about life as they see it;
You can make it for you what your heart may decree it;
For I always have found--and I'm happy to say it,--
'Tis a jolly good game if you know how to play it!

A Contented Farmer.

Wheat-crop heapin' in de shock,
Corn jes' keeps a-bumpin';
Oats a-yallerin' in de sun,--
Cotton des a-jumpin'!
Millet, Kafir-corn an' cane
Bust their selves a-growin';
Oklahoma's home for me
Till Gabriel goes to blowin'!

Hell and Heaven.

"Doan't tell me dat hell am away off yander," said an old darkey as he
stood before the display window of the vegetable market where a dozen
water-melons, the first of the season, reposed in unconscious
temptation. "Dem millyuns cost a dollar apiece, an' I hain't got but
thirty cents ter save me from the bad place. Go 'way, man! I tell you
hell am right hyar, an' hebben only sebenty cents away!"

Caught on the Fly.

Of course, it is all right to aim high, but it's the fellow that never
shoots at all that fails to bring down the game.

After all, the alleged failures of life are not of much importance. It
is what one does with his failures that tells the story of his despair
or hope.

When a man is always dressed and has his boots on ready for the journey,
Opportunity comes along in her automobile and invites him to get in and
ride with her.

June Time.

Pleasures fond are singing,
Love, for you and me,
And the moments bringing
Joys of land and sea!

June-time is tune-time!
Don't you hear the song?
All the time is love time
Where the r