* * * * *

[Illustration: BANK HOLIDAY SPORTS. "KISS-IN-THE-RING."

"NONE BUT THE FAIR DESERVE THE BRAVE."]

* * * * *

THE CLOSE OF THE INNINGS.

_Bowler_. Over at last!

_Wicket-keeper._ Humph! Yes, but not "all out!"
Time's up! All glad to leave the field, no doubt;
But _I_'m not satisfied.

_Bowler._ You never are!

_Wicket-keeper._ Some thought you, when you joined the team, a star,
Equal, at least, to SPOFFORTH, FERRIS, TURNER,
Yet sometimes you have bowled like a school-learner.

_Bowler._ That's most discouraging! Come now, I say,
You know that every Cricketer has "his day,"
Whilst the best bat or trundler may be stuck.
And, though he try his best, be "out of luck."
Ask W.G. himself! Early this season
He couldn't score, for no apparent reason.
Now look at him! Almost as good as ever!