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 assisted in what ye were at —
For it’s naught ye are ever doin’.”
“That’s true of yer Riverence,” Patrick replies,
And no sign of contrition evinces;
“But, bedad, it’s a fact which the word implies,
For she helps to mate the expinses!”
—Marley Wottel