THE SWEET LITTLE MAN

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2452, 4 May 1915, Page 9

THE SWEET LITTLE MAN

DEDICATED TO THE STAY-AT-HOME RANGERS.

Mr. Henry "Walton, of Waikanae, suggests that the publication of the accompanying verses by Oliver "Wendell Holmes might serve a useful purpose in arousing tho apathetic to a sens© of their duty to. King and Country at the present critical junoture, when the demand for men is so urgent:—

Now, while our soldierß are fighting oui battles. Each ait his post to do all that he can, Uown among rebels aad contraband chattels, What are yon doing, my sweet little man?

All the brave boys under canvas are sleeping, All/of them pressing to march with the van, Far from the home where their sweethearibs aTe weeping; What are yoii waiting for, sweet little man? You, with the terrible warlike moustaches, Pit for a colonel or chief of a clan, You with the waist made for swordbelts and sashes, Where are your shoulder straps, sweet little man? Bring him the 'buttonless garment oi woman, Cover his face lest it freckle and tan; Muster the Apron-strings Guards on the Common— That is ithe corps for the sweet little man. Givo him for escort a file of young misses, Each of them armed with a deadly rattan; They shall defend him from laughter and hisses Aimed by low boys at the sweet little man!

All the fair ,maidens about him shall cluster, Pluck (the white feathers from bonnet and fan, Make him a plume like a turkey-wing dustei>— • . That is the crest for the sweet little man. Oh, the Apron-string Guards are the fellows! Drilling each day since our troubles began— ''Handle your walking-sticks!" "Shoulder umbrellas!" That is the style for the sweet little man. • Have we a. nation to save? In the first place» Saving yourselves is the sensible plan— ' Surely the spot where there's shooting's the worst place .Where I can stand," says the sweet little man. Catch me confiding my person with strangers, Think how the cowardly Bull-Euiiners ran! In the brigade of the Stay-at-home Bangers Marches my corps, says the sweet little man. , .

Such was the stuff of the Malakofftakers, . Such were the soldiers that soaled the Eedan; Truculent housemaids and bloodthirsty Quakers, Brave' not the vrraJth of the 6weet little man. Yield him the sidewalk, ye nursery maidens! Sauve qui pent! Bridget; and right about! AnnFierce as a 6hark in a school of menhadens, man! See him advancing, the sweet little When the red flails of the battlefield's threshers Beat out the Continent's wheat from its bran, While wind scatters the chaffy seceshers, Whait will become of the sweet little man? When the brown soldiers coma back" from the borders, How will he look when his features they scan ? How will be feel when he gets marching orders, Signed by his lady-love? sweet little man. Pear not for him, though tho rebels expect him--Life is too precious to shorten its span; Woman her broomstick shall raise to protect him— Will she not fight for the sweet little man?

Now, thon, nine cheers for the Stay-at-home Hangers! Blow the great fish-horn, and beat the liig pan! First in the field that is furthest from danger, Take your white feather plume, sweet little man.

Tho Rev. Mother Clare, MotheT General of tho Sisters of Nazareth, is at present on a visit to Nazareth House, Christchurch. / Of Brtisli peers of the realm 310 fower fy- an -,i •' aiB ' or l' avo heen, serving in His Majesty's forces during the war. Petroleum and corn to the valuo of three millions sterling have been sent by Rumania to tho United Kingdom ill AJHSKi. ' ,