Miscellany.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume V, Issue 446, 29 October 1880, Page 3

Miscellany.

ONLY A BABY,

BY KiCV. OLIVER CRANK, M.D.

Only a baby, so tiny, ho canny, Emblem of innocence, weakness ond wants, Petted and fretted and teased by so many, How they are mauling him, Pul.ing and hauling him— Handled and dandled by cuusin.i and aunts. Only a baby, now growing and crowing, Kcady tw* laugh and as ready to cry ; Coyint.yoqnetting,KO cunning, so knowing, "" What can be done v,\h him, But to make fun with him, Stealing a kiss and a nudge on the sly ? Only a baby in n.i-ichicf for ever. Niisily busy from morning till night; Yet so amusing, so merry, so clever, What can you say to him, What but to play to him, Letting linn caper with all his might?

Only a baby, but playing the truant, Saucily saying I won't and I will, Coaxing till winning, so archly aspirant, What can you do with him ? Glad to get through with him, Only when tucked in his cradle and still

Only a baby, now walking and talking, Making all ring with his racket and fun, Rollicking,froHcking,slammerinpr, stalking-, How can you shnre with him, How can you bear with him, Armed with his drum and his whistlo and gun ?

Only a baby—a school boy in trowsers, Trudging each morning to his school; Joining his mates in exuberant rousers — How it amuses him, While it excuses him, Setting a trap for an April fool !

Only a baby—a baby no longer. Growing to boyhood as fast as lie can ; Stouter in body and mentally stronger, Now he is yoariiing for— Now he is burning for Time to go by to be counted a man.