Business done.—­None.

* * * * *

SEASONABLE WEATHER.

  The sunshine is cheerful, I’ll call upon STELLA,
    The girl I am pledged to, and ask her for tea. 
  It’s a summer-suit day, I can leave my umbrella;
    Mother Nature smiles kindly on STELLA and me. 
  With my silver-topped cane, and my boots (patent leather),
    My hat polished smoothly, a gloss on my hair,
  Yes, I think I shall charm her, and as to the weather,
    I am safe—­the barometer points to “Set Fair.”

  So I’m off—­why, what’s that?  Yes, by Jove, there’s a sputter
    Of rain on the pavement!—­the sunshine retires;
  And I wish, oh, I wish that my tongue dared to utter
    The thoughts that this changeable weather inspires. 
  Back, back to my rooms; I am drenched and disgusted;
    In thick boots and an ulster I’ll tempt it again;
  And accurst be the hour when I foolishly trusted
    The barometer’s index, which now points to “Rain.”

  Well, I’ll trudge it on foot with umbrella and “bowler,”—­
    My STELLA thinks more of a man than his dress. 
  I can buy her some bonbons or gloves to console her. 
    Though I’m rigged like a navvy, she’ll love me no less. 
  Let the showers pour down, I am dressed to defy them—­
    Bad luck to the rain, why, it’s passing away! 
  The streets are quite gay with the sunshine to dry them. 
    Well, there, I give up, and retire for the day!

* * * * *

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