A day’s pleasure.—­No.  I.

The Journey out.

“It’s werry hot, but werry pleasant.”

Says Mrs. Sibson to her spouse
“The days is hot and fair;
I think ’twould do the children good
To get a little hair!

“For ve’ve been moping here at home
And nothin’ seen o’ life;
Vhile neighbor Jones he takes his jaunts
O’ Sundays vith his vife!”

“Vell! vell! my dear,” quoth Mr. S____
“Let’s hear vot you purpose;
I’m al’ays ready to comply,
As you, my love, vell knows.

“I’ll make no bones about the cost;
You knows I never stick
About a trifle to amuse,
So, dearest Pol, be quick.”

“Vhy, this is it:—­I think ve might
To Hornsey have a day;
Maria, Peg, and Sal, and Bet
Ve’d pack into a ‘chay.’

“Our Jim and Harry both could valk,
(God bless their little feet!)
The babby in my arms I’d take—­
I’m sure ’twould be a treat;”

Quoth he:  “I am unanimous!”
And so the day was fix’d;
And forth they started in good trim,
Tho’ not with toil umnix’d.

Across his shoulders Sibson bore
A basket with the “grub,”
And to the “chay” perform’d the “horse,”
Lest Mrs. S____ should snub.

Apollo smiled!—­that is, the sun
Blazed in a cloudless sky,
And Sibson soon was in a “broil”
By dragging of his “fry.”

Says S____, “My love, I’m dry as dust!”
When she replied, quite gay,
“Then, drink; for see I’ve bottled up
My spirits for the day.”

And from the basket drew a flask,
And eke a footless glass;
He quaff’d the drink, and cried, “Now, dear,
I’m strong as ____” let that pass!

At last they reach’d the destined spot
And prop and babes unpacked;
They ran about, and stuff’d, and cramm’d,
And really nothing lack’d.

And Sibson, as he “blew a cloud,”
Declared, “It vos a day!”
And vow’d that he would come again—­
Then call’d for “Vot’s to pay?”

A day’s pleasure.—­No.  II.

The Journey home.

“Vot a soaking ve shall get.”

Across the fields they homeward trudged, when, lo! a heavy rain
Came pouring from the sky;
Poor Sibson haul’d, the children squall’d; alas! it was too plain
They would not reach home dry.

With clay-clogg’d wheels, and muddy heels, and Jim upon his back,
He grumbled on his way;
“Vell, blow my vig! this is a rig!” cried Sibson, “Vell! alack! 
I shan’t forget this day!

“My shoes is sop, my head’s a mop; I’m vet as any think;
Oh! shan’t ve cotch a cold!”
“Your tongue is glib enough!” his rib exclaim’d, and made him shrink,
—­For she was such a scold—­

And in her eye he could descry a spark that well he knew
Into a flame would rise;
So he was dumb, silent and glum, as the small “chay” he drew,
And ventured no replies.