A LEAP-YEAR EPISODE

CAN I forget that winter night

In eighteen eighty-four,

When Nellie, charming little sprite,

Came tapping at the door?

“Good evening, miss,” I blushing said,

For in my heart I knew—

And, knowing, hung my pretty head—

That Nellie came to woo.

She clasped my big red hand, and fell

Adown upon her knees,

And cried: “You know I love you well,

So be my husband, please!”

And then she swore she’d ever be

A tender wife and true—

Ah, what delight it was to me

That Nellie came to woo!

She’d lace my shoes and darn my hose

And mend my shirts, she said;

And grease my comely Roman nose

Each night on going to bed;

She’d build the fires and fetch the coal,

And split the kindling, too—

Love’s perjuries o’erwhelmed her soul

When Nellie came to woo.

And as I blushing, gave no check

To her advances rash,

She twined her arms about my neck,

And toyed with my moustache;

And then she pleaded for a kiss,

While I—what could I do

But coyly yield me to that bliss

When Nellie came to woo?

I am engaged, and proudly wear

A gorgeous diamond ring,

And I shall wed my lover fair

Some time in gentle spring.

I face my doom without a sigh—

And so, forthsooth, would you,

If you but loved as fond as I

The Nellie who came to woo.

Eugene Field.