_Chicago In July

The white-capp'd waves of Michigan break On the beach where the jacksnipes croon-- The breeze sweeps in from the purple lake And tempers the heat of noon: In yonder bush, where the berries grow, The Peewee tunefully sings, While hither and thither the people go, Attending to matters and things.

There is cool for all in the busy town-- For the girls in their sealskin sacques-- For the dainty dudes idling up and down, With overcoats on their backs; And the horse-cars lurch and the people run And the bell at the bridgeway rings-- But never perspires a single one, Attending to matters and things.

What though the shivering mercury wanes-- What though the air be chill? The beauteous Chloe never complains As she roams by the purpling rill; And the torn-tit coos to its gentle mate, As Chloe industriously swings With Daphnis, her beau, on the old front gate, Attending to matters and things.

When the moon comes up, and her cold, pale light Coquettes with the freezing streams, What care these twain for the wintry night, Since Chloe is wrapt in dreams, And Daphnis utters no plaint of woe O'er his fair jack full on kings, But smiles that fortune should bless him so, Attending to matters and things.