WHEN some folks meet a colyuming man, They have the delightfullest way to flatter; And this is about the general plan Of the smilingly pleasant school of patter. "Do you know, I know a couple of guys Who prefer your pomes to the five-foot shelf?" (As one who, merry and bright, implies: "I never could see the stuff, myself.") "My boy—he's still in his early teens— He reads your things, whether short or long, From beginning to end." (As one who means: "The little chap never was very strong.") "A friend of mine reads you every day— Hasn't missed a column in over a year; You mightn't believe it—" (As who should say: "The feller was always a little queer.") |