Selected Poetry.

Cromwell Argus, Volume I, Issue 18, 16 March 1870, Page 7

Selected Poetry.

—o — THE LETTER, My letter is finished ; but how shall it end ? Shall I sign it just " Bertha M'Caul" ? It's so awkward to write to a gentleman friend, And to Charlie it's hardest of all.

Shall I say " Yours respectfully" ? Horrible !- bo quite insulting, I'm sure. M' Jordially yours"?—or "Your friend, So- • \ and-so"? These phrases I cannot endure. Well, " Sincerely your friend" !—No that isn't quite true. Or " Yours to command" ?—That's too meek. " Yours as ever" ? —Oh, shocking ! That would never do— We were strangers till Michaelmas week. I have it!—l've written quite fast (we'll suppose), "Yours in haste."—Ah, -that would hardly sound right : He might take it in literal earnest—who knows Which would put me in such a poor light! Dear me!— How perplexing ! There is an expression That might tell—what he must never know— And yet, though it would be almost a confession. He never would fancy it so. 'Tis so common—l've used it often, But never felt its meaning before. He'll never suspect. (Ah, I see his eye soften While scanning my note o'er and o'er !) So I'll say it. Why not ?—what harm can it do ? 'Tis written ; and now for the sending. Yours truly } I feel as if somehow he knew— Though it's really a commonplace ending. —Bertha M'Caul, . in the Young Ladies' Journal.