A Cigar.

Waikato Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2045, 15 August 1885, Page 6 (Supplement)

A Cigar.

Alone I puff soft wreaths of blue That frame a mo^t delightful view ; — A little library with two Together sitting : A youth and girl. Upon her knees A novel with a hero, he's A ghostly circumstance to these Qjcunt wraps she's knitting. The lover holds the worsted, and Jußt touches one fair pinky hand : How well her bright eyes understand 1 For soon, unbidden, Two Bcarlet lips bejjin to move A conversation in that groove Whero chosen words quite clearly prove The subjeot hidden, And then the knitting's laid aside ; The needle's dropped ; and some sweet guide Leads both his hands to haply hide Two others whiter. I listen, and a mellow noto Slips through the rosy, roundsd throat : I hear the happy lover quota The novel's writer. The writer — ah, what kind fates some To keep harsh oriticiam from His little book : peihaps 'tis some Suoh situation ; — A picture similar to this, Portraying a brief <-pell of bliss, And punctuated with a kissInterrogntitn. I see the faces slowly meet, And Hhy, uncertain glances greet : The knitting's fallen to her feet ; And on his shoulder Her head in golden glory lies, Whilo, fathoming her lovely eyes, He reads the tenderest replies, — Love growing bolder. But, while I dream in idleness, And wonder whether she will bless His hearing with a whispered " yes,' — With drooping lashes ; The picture fades from sight afar As pales at morn a silver star ; I seek tho light of my cigar, And find but ashes. — Frank Dempster Sherman.