I 9 6 THE IDYL OF THE SPLIT-BAMBOO 



not because the writer has failed to tell you, so far 

 as mind can recall, every blamed thing that he knows 

 about this business. Suspend them from the tip, 

 safe from the kiddies' curious investigations, feast 

 your eyes soulfully upon their charms, and, upon 

 occasion, you even may take them down and fondle 

 them lovingly; then, when the first feathered har- 

 bingers of the coming Spring begin their blithesome 

 twitterings and not till then haste you now to 

 rig them up and experience that exquisite thrill of 

 their feel in action, as you test them out on the near- 

 est piece of greensward, if a suitable stretch of water 

 be not conveniently accessible. And you now may 

 say, " as one having authority," if you think that an 

 honestly hand made Split-Bamboo is worth its price; 

 and if you agree with me that the building thereof 

 is a poem, the perusing of which is a thing well cal- 

 culated to assist in passing profitably many an hour 

 in delightfully novel and restful diversion, oblivious 

 to carking cares. 



