THE POET’S CORNER.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIII, Issue 9116, 8 April 1908, Page 6

THE POET’S CORNER.

THE WOMAN WITH A BABY. ’Mid the herd of human porkera crowded on the trolly car All is selfishness and jostle, making , age and sex no bar; Men collapse in seats and stay there, letting shrinking women stand ’ With a look of indignation —and a strap in either hand. a Yet there’s one thing that you’ve noticed never fails to make a stir ■ When a woman with a baby comes, they all make room for her. 1 have sat in stulfy coaches on a L « crowded railway train. Listening to case hardened travellers who declared with might and main That they’d see the railroad company in Hades’ fiercest heat Long before they’d even think of giving any one a seat; . Then, scarce they’d ceased their '■ boasting, they’d rise without demur For a woman with a baby—they must all make room for her. •'<

There is something sweet, Madonna like, in pictures such as that, ■; And it makes the lowest ruffian feel like taking off his hat; For it bears him back to boyhood when loving mother arms Closely clung to him aud kept off e’en the least of earth’s alarms. So, no matter what his station, he ", well evermore defer To a woman with a baby—he has , reverence for her. Once I dreamed I stood in heaven, just inside the pearly gate, , While to every new arrival good St. Peter said : “You’re late; For the places are all taken and the harps are all in use, Golden streets are just so crowded , that I had to call a truce. Then a little tired-ont woman lugged a baby into view, And St. Peter said : “We’re full up, but we’ll find a place for you.” S. W, Gillian. Leslie’s Weekly.