The Boyless Town

A cross oíd woman of long ago Declared thai stie hatee! noise: 'ïhe town would be so pleasant, you know, If only there were no boys." She scolded and fretted a bout it tlll Her eyes grew heavy as lead, And then, oía suddeu, the towu grew still, For all the boys had íled. And all through the long aud dusty street ïhere wasn't a boy in view ; The base-ball lot wftere they used to meet Was a sight to malte one blue, The grass was growirjg on every base, And the paths that the runuers made; For there wasn't a soul in all the place Who knew how the game was pUyed. The dogs were sleeping the livelong day- Why should they bark or leap.' There wasu't a whistle or cali to play, And so they could ouly sleep. The pony nelghed from hls lonely stal], And louged for a saddle and rein ; And even the birds on Ihe garden wall Chlrped only a dull refratn. The cherries rotted aud went to waste- There was uo one to climb the trees ; And nobody had a single taste, Save only the birds and bees. There wasn't a messenger boy- not one To speed as such messengers can : If people wanted their errands done, They sent for a messeuger man. There was little, I ween, of frolic and noise ; There was less of cheer and mirth : The sad old town, since it lacked its boys, Was the dreariest place on earth. The poor old woman began to weep, Then woke with a sudden scream ; "Dear mei" she cried ; "I have been asleep ; And oh, what a horrid dream !" .