INTERCEPTED.

MARIA DEAR : Since you received the latest news of me,

I 've got a situation, which, I think, will somewhat better

Agree with me than that I spoke of in my former letter.

I 'm waiter at a boarding-house, near Harvard's classic halls,

And there serve famished students with diminutive fish-balls.

The work is light; the Cambridge air, I think, agrees with me;

These students come and eat their meals with regularity.

There are about a dozen girls; a matron's o'er us set;

Our wages is four-fifty, and whatever we can get.

The first day that I waited here was like to be my last;

However did I stand it then, I wonder, now it's past.

The floors were scrubbed, the cloths were laid, the napkins put in place,

The joints were on the table, and the matron had said grace

I stood beside my table, at the place I was to fill.

Full many a shout arose without, but all within was still.

There came a sound of splintering wood, in burst the oaken door,

And steady streams of starving men to right and left did pour.

I found myself surrounded by a "sea of upturned faces,"

Who howled in piteous tones for food, while rushing to their places.

One called me here, one hauled me there; each handed me his plate;

I hurried up the hall and down, and staggered 'neath my freight;

Confused and stunned, on every hand I let the viands fall;

I heard the wicked creatures swear, but heeded not at all.

As when, at home, full oft I bore the pail with willing feet

Out to the pen where sluggish swine were turning corn to meat,

And when the golden orb was low and shining through the cracks,

The sifted sunshine trembled on the porkers' sturdy backs,

I filled the ample trough brimful with all the family swill,

And called each little pig by name, to come and take his fill.

Then rushed they all with eager squeal to share the rich repast;

Surrounded what before them lay, and guzzled quick and fast.

So every boarder, at his seat, along those solid rows,

Leaveth of all the bounteous feast no remnant when he goes.

These students take an interest in me above the rest;

So every day at every meal I dress up in my best.

Put on my blue alpaca waist and Dolly Varden skirt;

While with a black morocco belt my slender waist is girt.

I wear my golden ear-rings, which cost fifty cents the pair;

The yellow necktie you gave me, likewise, I always wear.

Besides these fascinations, I'm adorned with many more, -

If you could only see my hair, done a la Pompadour.

Not to a soul but you would I for worlds the secret tell,

But I'm conceded on all hands to be the Commons belle.

Now I must close; I'm getting on quite well, as first I stated.

The President has gone and made us all get vaccinated.

I hope these lines find you as well as they have just left me.

I am, believe me,

Ever yours till death,

ELIZA B.