第45章 THE BABY'S KISS. AN INCIDENT OF THE CIVIL WAR.

Rough and ready the troopers ride, Pistol in holster and sword by side;

They have ridden long, they have ridden hard, They are travel-stained and battle-scarred;

The hard ground shakes with their martial tramp, And coarse is the laugh of the men of the camp.

They reach the spot where a mother stands With a baby shaking its little hands, Laughing aloud at the gallant sight Of the mounted soldiers, fresh from the fight.

The captain laughs out, "I will give you this, A bright piece of gold, your baby to kiss."

"My darling's kisses cannot be sold, But gladly he'll kiss a soldier bold."

He lifts up the babe with a manly grace, And covers with kisses its smiling face.

Its rosy cheeks and its dimpled charms, And it crows with delight in the soldier's arms.

"Not all for the captain," the troopers call;

"The baby, we know, has a kiss for all."

To each soldier's breast the baby is pressed By the strong rough men, and kissed and caressed.

And louder it laughs, and the lady's face Wears a mother's smile at the fond embrace.

"Just such a kiss," cried one warrior grim, "When I left my boy I gave to him;"

"And just such a kiss on the parting day, I gave to my girl as asleep she lay."

Such were the words of these soldiers brave, And their eyes were moist when the kiss they gave.

ANON.

"Baa, baa, black sheep, have you any wool?"

"Yes sir, yes sir three bags full;

One for my master and one for my dame, And one for the little boy who lives in the lane.

Tommy Bangs looks quite smart, Driving along in his new goat cart, But Tommy's not one of your selfish boys, With every baby he shares his joys, Takes them to ride and lets them drive, Of course, they like Tommy The best boy alive.