PHILOPOENA.

WHERE the sunbeams, lightly flashing,

Danced and flirted with the vines,

Peeping through the spreading windows,

Watching many pleasant times, -

There one day they saw the table,

Covered o'er with fruitage fair,

And there lingered at the dessert

Dick and pretty Minnie Clare,

All alone, while all the others,

One by one, had dropped away,

Leaving these o'er nuts and raisins,

To enjoy their tete-a-tete.

Swiftly flew the happy moments,

Happier ones were never seen,

Till, at last, the brown-eyed maiden

Challenged boldly, "Philopene?"

"And the forfeit, saucy Minnie?"

"Anything we may request, -

Gloves, or whate'er else may chance to

Suit the victor's mind the best."

And with mirth and many a caution,

Then commenced the contest there,

Each one striving for the honors

Which the favored one might wear.

Finally, they both, despairing,

Rose to go, the dinner o'er,

And the rascal, bending forward,

Stole her little white mouchoir.

"O, you must n't, - Dick, how dare you?

Give it to me, - do, I pray."

And our hero, gallant ever,

Let the maiden have her way.

Then his arm her form encircled,

In the sunshine there, unseen,

And his eyes looked down triumphant,

As he whispered, "Philopene,

And the forfeit - 'whatsoever

Suits the victor's heart the best' -

Is yourself, dear, - may I have it?"

Well, - we did n't hear the rest!

But we saw the drooping lashes;

Saw the crimson, burning cheek,

And the happy, joyous blushes

Playing there at hide-and-seek;

And we heard a murmur faintly,

"O, if any one should come!"

Then we knew the worst was over, -

Knew that Dick's campaign was done.

WALLINGFORD.