THE SAVING CLAUSE.

Kerr wrote a book, and a good book, too; At least I[A] managed to read it through Without finding very much room for blame, And a good many other folks did the same. But when any one asked me[A]: "Have you read?" Or: "How do you like?" I[A] only said: "Very good, very good! and I'm glad enough; For his other writings are horrible stuff." Banks wrote a play, and it had a run. (That's a good deal more than ever I've[A] done.) The interest held with hardly a lag From the overture to the final tag. But when any one asked me[A]: "Have you seen?" Or: "What do you think?" I[A] looked serene And remarked: "Oh, a pretty good thing of its kind, But I guess Mr. Shakespeare needn't mind!" Phelps made a machine; 't was smooth as grease. (I[A] couldn't invent its smallest piece In a thousand years.) It was tried and tried, Until everybody was satisfied. But when any one asked me[A]: "Will it pay?"— "Is it really good?"—I[A] could only say: "It's a marvelous thing! Why, it almost thinks! And Phelps is a wonder—too bad he drinks!"