AN OLD STORY IN VERSE.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume V, Issue 1343, 16 September 1886, Page 2

AN OLD STORY IN VERSE.

He was a guileless college youth, That mirrored modesty and trnth; And sometimes at his musty room His sister called, to chase the gloom; One afternoon, when she was there, Arranging things with kindly care, As often she had done before, There came a knock upon the door. Our student, sensitive to fears Of thoughtless comrades’ laughing jeers, Had only time to make deposit Of bis dear sister in a closet; Then haste the door to open wide; His guest unbidden stept inside. He was a cheery-faced old man, And with apologies began For calling, and then let him know That more than fifty years ago, 'When be was in his youthful bloom, He’d occupied that very room; So thought he’d take the chance, he said, To see the changes time had made. “ The same old window, same old view— Ha, ha I the same old pictures, too t” And then he tapped them with hie cane. And laughed his merry laugh again. “ The same old sofa, I declare I Dear me I It must be worse for wear. The same old shelves 1” And then he came And spied the closet door. “ The same Oh my 1” A woman's dress peeped through. Quick as he could he closed it to. He shook his head. “ Ah! ah 1 the same Old game, young man, the same old gamel” “ Would you my reputation slur ?” The youth gasped; “ That’s my sister, sirl” “ Ah!” said the old man, with a sigh, " The same old lie—the same old lie 1”