II

UNCLE BRIGHTENS UP--


[Illustration]

Uncle he says 'at 'way down in the sea
Ever'thing's ist like it _used_ to be:--
He says they's mermaids, an' mermens, too,
An' little merchildern, like me an' you--
Little merboys, with tops an' balls,
An' little mergirls, with little merdolls.

[Illustration]

Uncle Sidney's vurry proud
Of little Leslie-Janey,
'Cause she's so smart, an' goes to school
Clean 'way in Pennsylvany!

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[Illustration: "AN' ALL BE POETS AN' ALL RECITE."]

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She print' an' sent a postul-card
To Uncle Sidney, telling
How glad he'll be to hear that she