Wit and Humor of America, Vol 08 — Final Choice, The

"_Dark doubts between the promise and event.

_"--_Young.

_ I rather thought that Alexander Would sound well at the font, While mother much preferred Leander For him who swam the Hellespont.

Grandfather clamored for Uriah, While grandma mentioned Obadiah.

Then mother spoke of Clarence, Cyril, And Reginald and Claude, But I thought none of them were virile Like some such name as Ichabod.

Grandfather spoke for Jeremiah.

And grandma favored Azariah.

Then Harold, Gerald, Donald, Luke, And lordly Roderick Waged wordy war with Marmaduke And Bernard and Theodoric, While grandpa hinted Zachariah And grandma thought of Hezekiah.

We spoke of Gottlieb from the German, Of Gaius, Caius, Saul, Of Andrew, François, Ivan, Herman, Of Caspar, Jasper, Peter, Paul.

Still grandpa stuck for Nehemiah, And grandma ventured Jedediah.

From Aaron down to Zeph we went, But Fate is so contrary!

For after the august event The name we really chose was Mary!

Though grandma much preferred Maria, And grandpa rooted for Sophia.

FOOTNOTES:

[3] Lippincott's Magazine.

HON.

RANSOM PEABODY