Life — September 9, 1886 — page 6: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

EDPEE © REMEMBERED. HILE I am toiling here in town, And breathing dust almost to choking, She's at the shore, in muslin gown, ‘And cool as Greenland. How provoking ! I sit and write from morn till night, And wonder why my lot’s no better, While she’s a-larking such a sight She can’t find time to write a letter ! The town is dull and likewise hot ; There’s nothing doing worth the mention ; She’s boating, bathing, and what not, And I don't get the least attention ! Cross? No, indeed ; I’m not, a bit ; My darling shall have only praises ; But though she’s charming, I admit Her negligence my choler raises. I tread the sidewalk, she the strand ; I go to bed, and she goes boating ; She hears the music of the band, And I mosquitos’ Scripture-quoting. Ah, well! Of course I can’t complain ; “If she is happy, I’m contented ; To give our fair ones’ wishes rein Is why, you know, we were invented ! So wags the world, and so it will ; They're born to lead, and we to follow ; Of course’it must be right, but still It seems a joke that’s rather hollow. Our usefulness, it would appear, Lies chiefly in our yielding graces ; The one great aim of their career To cut a dash at watering-places ! Stay, here’s the mail ; I'll croak no more ; I'm not forgotten quite — she’s written : “My dear, it’s lovely at the shore ; Our Maud a Baronet has smitten ; We're having just a gay time, too— We wish you could be here to share it ; Write to us often, dearest, do, — And send a check when you can spare it!” Frank Roe Batchelder. * * * Most of the time in hot water —- The washerwoman. RENTANO BROTHERS will shortly publish a novel by Arthur Louis, entitled “ Dollars and Sense.” The originality of the title gives promise of something startling, and the fact that it will contain descriptions of polo, tennis and cricket matches, will cause its advent to be awaited with that time-honored “hush of expectancy " that has done such heavy work for young authors in the past. “c“ HE GIPSY’S PROPHECY; or The Bride of an Evening,” by Mrs. Emma D. E. N. Southworth, is | one of the most dramatic, stirring and absorbing romances of that famous American novelist. From the opening to {the close, the book is replete with thrilling scenes of the greatest power and excitement. The plot and incidents are managed with the utmost skill, and all the intricate details present a fascination that cannot be overcome. The characters are drawn with that naturalness Mrs. Southworth always shows, while the dialogue is crisp and snappy, and the descriptions, | especially those of South Wales, picturesque and beautiful. The novel is one of the very best that can be found, and will induce all who read it to get some of Mrs. Southworth’s other books for perusal. At least this is what the publisher tells us, and as he has read the book, we suppose he ought to know. * * * HE genial autocrat has at last returned to his native heath, and the Hub once more is happy. It is to be hoped that way down deep in Dr. Holmes’ trunk there nestle a few manuscript pages of the “ Autocrat at the English Dinner Tables,” giving his opinions of the man- ners (if there are any) and customs of the English people. * * * NDREW LANG has brought out an édztéon-de-luxe on asbestos of his “ Letters to Dead Authors.” They stand a fair chance of delivery now, and it is just pos- sible that some of the dead authors will pluck a quill from their wings and write back, giving it Mr. Lang as he deserves. We wish Mr. Lang would write to Hugh Conway and ask him to let up on a long-suffering public. * * * T is rumored in literary circles that the next (October) issue of the Century magazine will contain, among other interesting matter, an article on the late civil war. * * * R. OSCAR FAY ADAMS is still going “ Through the Year with the Poets,” and has our sincere sympathy. We who have gone through nearly four years with them know just what kind of a time Mr. Adams is having. Swimming through the whirlpool is nothing alongside of it, and no dime museum has yet made either Mr. Adams or our- selves any flattering offer that we know of. Justice is indeed blind. John Kenggick. + NEW BOOKS -« PRINCESS. By M.G. McClelland. New York: Henry Holt & Co, The Gipsy's Prophecy ; or, The Bride of an Evening. By Mrs. E. D. E. N, Southworth. Philadelphia: ‘I’. B. Peterson & Bros. Memoirs and Letters of Dolly Madison. "Edited by her Grand-Nieee. Boston: Houghton, Mifflin & Co. * * * A SHREWD fellow is laying his pipes — The plumber. A SUGGESTION OF ECONOMY. ADY (é dry-goods store): 1 will look at your material for towels. CLERK (recently transferred from the dress-goods depart- mént): Yes, ma’am; something that won’t show dirt ? comicbooks.com