The Milkmaid

MILKMAID, who poised a full pail on her head, Thus mused onher prospects in life, it is said : " Let me see-I should think that this milk will procure Onehundred good eggs, or fourscore, to be sure. "Well then-stop a bit-it must not be forgotten, Some of these may be broken, and some may be rotten ; THE MILKMAID But if twenty for accident should be detached, It will leave me just sixty sound eggs to be hatched. "Well, sixty sound eggs-no, sound chickens, I mean: Of these some may die-we'll suppose seventeen, Seventeen! not so many-say ten at the most, Which will leave fifty chickens to boil or to roast. "But then there's their barley: how much will they need? Why, they take but one grain at atime when they feedSo that's a mere trifle ; now then, let us see, At a fair market price how much money there'll be. " Six shillings a pair-five-four-three-and-six, To prevent all mistakes, that low price I will fix ; Now what will that make? fifty chickens, I said- Fifty times three-and-sixpence-I'll ask Brother Ned. "O, but 'em; stop-three-and-sixpence apair I must sell Well, a pair is a couple-now then let us tell 'em; Acouple in fifty will go (mypoorbrain!) Why, just a score times, and five pair will remain. "Twenty- five pairs of fowls-now how tiresome it is That I can't reckon up so much money as this ! Well, there's no use in trying, so let's give a guess- I'll say twenty pounds, and it can't be no less. Jun. Cl-10 195 7 HIAWATHA'S CHILDHOOD "Twenty pounds, I am certain, will buy me a cow, Thirty geese, and two turkeys-eight pigs and a Sow; Nowif these turn out well, at the end of the year, I shall fill both my pockets with guineas, 'tis clear." Forgetting her burden, when this she had said, The maid superciliously tossed up her head; When, alas for her prospects! her milk-pail de- scended, And so all her schemes for the future were ended. This moral, I think, may be safely attached- "Reckon not on your chickens before they are hatched."