What Parted Them

They sat besido the parlor flre, John and Matilda, joking; The flre was juut a little low, John thought it needod poking. He seized the poker lylng by. And witb a manner knowing, Jabbed from the top among the coala To set the fire a-glowlng. Matilda closely watched his way- Bhe had a mind and spoke it - "You don't know how toñza fire; That's not the way to poke t!" "Poke from the bottom if you want To set the flre a-blazing!" Siiid John in pique at her: "I swear Your kuowledge isamazingl" Then she got mad. "I have no use For ono who cannot build a Fire properly ! You're not my John 1 Til not bo your Uatlldal" More hot words passed between the two From the old subject started. (How many lives sinco coal was used Tli is single theme has parted!) 'Twas only how to poke the flre, Bnt none tho less it killed a Young love which had grown up for mooths 'Twixt John and his Matilda!