LIFE'S A GAME.

Southland Times, Issue 602, 10 December 1866, Page 3

LIFE'S A GAME.

Life's a game, and all are playing ; Some are winning, others loseBut the truth is told in saying All have power to win who choose. Let us only be in earnest, L Tsing all our wit and skill, And what'er the game of life be, We can win it if we will, Play it well, and play it bravely ; Let the heart the hand impel; Whatso'er the game of life be, Play it wisely, play it well. All men have a game of " cricket," That in youth well play'd should be, Guarding virtue as a wicket, With the bat of purity. Some a game of " chess " are playing G-ainst deceit and wrong within .* — Let them, ever watching, praying, Mark each move, and they shall win, Play it well, and play it bravely, &c. Some a game of " whist" arc playing, With the " ace of hearts," in hand, 'Gainst the world's trump, " ace of diamonds;" But the true heart shall command. j Some men are at " croquet" playing — May be red against the blue — Let them scorn the dizzie shqyffle, And with honor play red through, Play it well, and play it bravely, &c. Some a game of "draughts" are playing, And with most, some men have gone ; But the clear and cautious player Crowns, and takes his two for one. j Others play a game of " billiards " On their life's board, smooth and true — But to cannon or to pocket, Steady hands must guide the cue, Play it well, and play it bravely, &c. Some a game of " risk " are playing — " Speculation." " dice " or " 100 ;" But it is not chance, for surely Every one of them shall "rue." Yefc nn honest purpose merely Will not win the game we play ; We must be both wise and prudent, If the prize we'd take away, Play it well, and play it bravely, &c. We must strive to be proficient In our game, and c'en excel; And remember that one false move Mars what else were played right well, Move by move we should be cautious, Making sure each one is right — And -whate'er the game of life be, We should win it ere the night. Play it well and play it bravely, &c.

Although the tongue has no bones, it often breaks bonea. " I hope I gave satisfaction." as the pistol ball said to the wounded duellist. Why does the railway-clerk cut a hole in your ticket ? — To let you pass through. A bachelor arithmetican says a girl is a sum when she causes one to sigh for her. " I've buried my best friend " as the undertaker said when he interred the

quack doctor. When Eve told Adam to chastise his son, what five scriptural names did she use ?— " Adam," Seth Eve, " Cain Abel." An liish schoolmaster wrote the following copy for one of his pupils : — " Idlenesss covereth a man with nakedness."

A donkey carrying a load of books is as respectable an animal as the person whose head is crammed with learning that he does not understand. " What branch of education do you have chiefly in your school ?" was asked of a pupil.— ""A birch branch, sir: the master has used almost a whole tree.'

When were there only two vowels ? — In the days of no a (Noah), before v and i (you and I) were born. An angel's harp requires an angel's touch. A sanctified heart is better than a silver tongue. To live quietly, one should be blind, deaf, and dumb. A good action is never forgotten — by an attorney. A heart full of grace is better than a head full of notions. Prayers and provender, never hindered any man's journey.