p. 9 | PROBLEMS by Memphis Social Graphic

Pacific Press Publishing Company · OAKLAND, CALIFORNIA · Jul 1, 1897

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 23, No. 25.

PROBLEMS.

By Memphis Social Graphic

My little one was restless, And his face was flushed and bright, And he said in pouting murmurs His baby prayer to-night.

So I crept to his bedside softly; There were tears on his lashes deep, Which he bravely hid with his fingers, His own little sorrows to keep.

And I said, "Come, tell me about it, And I will kiss it all away." "But this is sure enough trouble, And it comes most every day."

"But mother can help you, dearest, I am sure; now tell me all." "Well—it's cos I can't work them 'zamples What they puts up on the wall.

"They calls them plus and minus, And they writes them just this way:

that's plus, and means addition,

And substracton — is minus, they say."

"Is that all that gives you trouble?" And my arms held a closer touch. "Now add: if I give you two kisses And you give me two, how much?"

"Why, two, of course!" "No, no, dear; I'm afraid you're a little dunce. How can two twos be two, pray?" "Cos we does it both at once!"

"An' I can 'splain that plus an' minus That worried me so to-day: Plus is jus' putting together, An' minus is taking away."

And the tired eyes closed gently, And wrapt in dreams he lay. Aye, "Plus is jus' putting together, An' minus is taking away."

Ah, dear little dreamer, I wonder If after life's problems we say, A mother's dear arms shall enfold us And her lips kiss the worry away! For all of its hopes, loves, and longings Are summed up in thy childish lay, "Plus is jus' putting together, An' minus is taking away."

—Memphis Social Graphic.