HELPMATE, n.

A wife, or bitter half.

"Now, why is yer wife called a helpmate, Pat?"
Says the priest.  "Since the time 'o yer wooin'
She's niver [sic] assisted in what ye were at--
For it's naught ye are ever doin'."

"That's true of yer Riverence [sic]," Patrick replies,
And no sign of contrition envices;
"But, bedad, it's a fact which the word implies,
For she helps to mate the expinses [sic]!"

Marley Wottel