A Heap O Livin | Page 4

meeting brings;?That gain and loss are partners here, and so?are smiles and tears;?That only boys from day to day can drain and
fill the cup of play;?That age must mourn for what is lost?throughout the coming years.?But boys cannot appreciate their priceless joy
until too late?And those who own the charms I had will?soon be changed to men;?And then, they too will sit, as I, and backward
turn to look and sigh?And share my longing, vain, to be a carefree?boy again.
WHAT A BABY COSTS
"How much do babies cost?" said he?The other night upon my knee;?And then I said: "They cost a lot;?A lot of watching by a cot,?A lot of sleepless hours and care,?A lot of heart-ache and despair,?A lot of fear and trying dread,?And sometimes many tears are shed?In payment for our babies small,?But every one is worth it all.
"For babies people have to pay?A heavy price from day to day --?There is no way to get one cheap.?Why, sometimes when they're fast asleep?You have to get up in the night?And go and see that they're all right.?But what they cost in constant care?And worry, does not half compare?With what they bring of joy and bliss --?You'd pay much more for just a kiss.
"Who buys a baby has to pay?A portion of the bill each day;?He has to give his time and thought?Unto the little one he's bought.?He has to stand a lot of pain?Inside his heart and not complain;?And pay with lonely days and sad?For all the happy hours he's had.?His smile is worth it all, you bet."
MOTHER
Never a sigh for the cares that she bore for me?Never a thought of the joys that flew by;?Her one regret that she couldn't do more for me,?Thoughtless and selfish, her Master was I.
Oh, the long nights that she came at my call to
me!?Oh, the soft touch of her hands on my brow!?Oh, the long years that she gave up her all to
me!?Oh, how I yearn for her gentleness now!
Slave to her baby! Yes, that was the way of
her,?Counting her greatest of services small;?Words cannot tell what this old heart would
say of her,?Mother -- the sweetest and fairest of all.
SELFISH
I am selfish in my wishin' every sort o' joy for
you;?I am selfish when I tell you that I'm wishin'
skies o' blue?Bending o'er you every minute, and a pocketful
of gold,?An' as much of love an' gladness as a human
heart can hold.?Coz I know beyond all question that if such a
thing could be?As you cornerin' life's riches you would share
'em all with me.
I am selfish in my wishin' every sorrow from
your way,?With no trouble thoughts to fret you at the
closin' o' the day;?An' it's selfishness that bids me wish you comforts
by the score,?An' all the joys you long for, an' on top o'
them, some more;?Coz I know, old tried an' faithful, that if such
a thing could be?As you cornerin' life's riches you would share
'em all with me.
RICH
Who has a troop of romping youth?About his parlor floor,?Who nightly hears a round of cheers,?When he is at the door,?Who is attacked on every side?By eager little hands?That reach to tug his grizzled mug,?The wealth of earth commands.
Who knows the joys of girls and boys,?His lads and lassies, too,?Who's pounced upon and bounced upon?When his day's work is through,?Whose trousers know the gentle tug?Of some glad little tot,?The baby of his crew of love,?Is wealthier than a lot.
Oh, be he poor and sore distressed?And weary with the fight,?If with a whoop his healthy troop?Run, welcoming at night,?And kisses greet him at the end?Of all his toiling grim,?With what is best in life he's blest?And rich men envy him.
MA AND THE AUTO
Before we take an auto ride Pa says to Ma:
"My dear,?Now just remember I don't need suggestions
from the rear.?If you will just sit still back there and hold
in check your fright,?I'll take you where you want to go and get
you back all right.?Remember that my hearing's good and also I'm
not blind,?And I can drive this car without suggestions
from behind."
Ma promises that she'll keep still, then off we
gayly start,?But soon she notices ahead a peddler and his
cart.?"You'd better toot your horn," says she, "to let
him know we're near;?He might turn out!" and Pa replies: "Just
shriek at him, my dear."?And then he adds: "Some day, some guy will
make a lot of dough?By putting horns on tonneau seats for womenfolks
to blow!"
A little farther on Ma cries: "He signaled for
a turn!"?And Pa says: "Did he?" in a tone that's hot
enough to burn.?"Oh, there's a boy on roller skates!" cries Ma.
"Now do go slow.?I'm sure he doesn't see our car." And Pa says:
"I dunno,?I think I don't need glasses yet, but really it
may be?That I am blind and cannot see what's right
in front of me."
If Pa should speed the car a bit some rigs to
hurry past?Ma whispers: "Do be careful now. You're
driving much too