Little Ferns For Fanny's Little Friends

LITTLE NELLY.
to my little daughter these Little Ferns are affectionately dedicated
They reckon not by months, and years Where she hath gone to dwell.
Transcriber's Note:
Dear Children:—
Aunt Fanny has written you some stories, which she hopes will please and divert you. She would rather have come to you, and told them, that she might have seen your bright faces; but as that could not be, she sends her little book instead. Perhaps you will sometime come and see her, and then won't we have a nice time telling stories?
Where do I live?
Won't you tell—certain true? Won't you tell Susy, or Mary, or Hatty, or Sammy, or Tommy, or even your pet Uncle Charley?
Oh, I can't tell!
If I tell it to one, she will tell it to two,
And the next cup of tea, they will plot what they'll do;
So I'll tell nobody,