THE SAVING CLAUSE.

Kerr wrote a book, and a good book, too; At least I 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 : “Have you read?” Or: “How do you like?” I 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 done. ) The interest held with hardly a lag From the overture to the final tag. But when any one asked me : “Have you seen?” Or: “What do you think?” I looked serene And remarked: “Oh, a pretty good thing of its kind, But I guess Mr. Shakespeare need n't mind!”

Phelps made a machine;‘ t was smooth as grease. ( I could n't invent its smallest piece In a thousand years. ) It was tried and tried, Until everybody was satisfied. But when any one asked me : “Will it pay?” — “Is it really good?” — I could only say: “It's a marvelous thing! Why, it almost thinks! And Phelps is a wonder — too bad he drinks!”