Part 18

Here the sedate and dignified Elsie gives her opinion of a summer recreation after this fashion:--

"Are you fond of fishing? A foolish amusement, it seems to me, To be rocking about on the briny sea Watching for bites 'neath a broiling sun, (Mosquitoes will give you 'em when day is done) For my part I'd rather be left in peace To read of travels in sunny Greece Varied by poem on 'Pleasures of Hope',-- Whate'er my employment I shall not mope-- But it proves great sport for cousin Bill. (He's a youth just starting up Life's hill) But should he as old as I become He would conclude that 't is all a 'hum'."

Where a person generally considered "proper" became familiar with slang I cannot imagine, but I make no remarks. Owing to the absence of two members of the household, who, having been caught out in the shower, are probably calculating the specific gravity of rain drops and their effect on new straw hats, we have doubtless been deprived of more poems of surprising depth and brilliancy. And, from regard for the excessive modesty of other participants in the game, I suppress many compositions of rare merit which were brought out this stormy evening. This letter is merely to acquaint you with an important fact, which is as follows. As Dr. Holmes has informed you with regard to the "Asylum for Decayed Punsters," be it known hereby that we have here started a rival institution,--a school for poets; so when you wish to secure the services of any of the graduates, you may know where to apply. And, the reason why the game of Crambo is like night is, because it is quiet in the middle and noisy at both ends.