CHAPTER XVI.

BOLAX LEAVES COLLEGE FOR VACATION, 196

ONLY A BOY.

Only a boy with his noise and fun, The veriest mystery under the sun; As brimful of mischief and wit and glee As ever a human frame can be, And as hard to manage as--ah! ah, me! 'Tis hard to tell, Yet we love him well.

Only a boy, with his fearful tread, Who cannot be driven, but must be led; Who troubles the neighbors' dogs and cats, And tears more clothes, and spoils more hats, Loses more tops and kites and bats Than would stock a store, For a year or more.

Only a boy, with his wild, strange ways, With his idle hours on busy days; With his queer remarks and his odd replies, Sometimes foolish and sometimes wise, Often brilliant for one of his size, As a meteor hurl'd, From the pleasant world.

Only a boy, who will be a man If Nature goes on with her first great plan-- If water, or fire, or some fatal snare Conspire not to rob us of this our heir, Our blessing, our trouble, our rest, our care, Our torment, our joy, "Our only boy."

--_Anonymous_.

BOLAX IMP OR ANGEL--WHICH?