The Truant Skater

         

Just see the rosy, red-cheeked boy,

      So full of life and vim;

How gladly doth he strap his skates,

      To have a ten mile skim.

But later, when he skulketh home,

      All wet and out of trim;

How gladly doth his pa bend o’er,

      And put the straps on him.

Jan. 22, 23, or 24, 1895

Pub. in Boston Courier

Mar. 3, 1895