"Handsome Dick! weight fifteen pounds"--
Whispers Elzie on her rounds;
"What is 'Handsome Dick'?" they say;
"Come and see, please,--step this way;"
And once seen they're glad to tell
Others of white Dick, as well;--
For the cat, as knowing now
He must make his courtliest bow. [{265}]
Did his best to help along
Elzie's plan, the friends among.
Upon his cushion he would stand,
Or sit, as Elzie might command;
Then down upon his blanket lie
And be wrapped up like baby-bye;
Would lap his milk, or dainty, sip,
And shake his pretty under-lip,
Thus showing teeth as white as pearl,--
Then round and round would quickly whirl,
Till each one seeing, cheerful, said:
"For that five cents I'm sure we're paid."
Thus the three days passing by,
Which the Fair must occupy--
Dollars ten--ah, yes! and more,
Elzie holds within her store!
Dues for cage and tickets met,
And the ten is Elzie's yet,--
Which unto the Fair she gave
With an air so joyful-grave,
That it seemed a spirit bright,
Nestled in her heart so light;--
And a happier child than she,
We may never hope to see.
BESSIE'S KISSES.
Kisses, kisses, raining, raining,
On her lips, her cheeks, her brow,
Till she, wearied, "Daughter, darling,
Mamma's had enough for now."
"Ah! but Bessie has so many!"--
Naught the pretty prattler daunts;
Mamma pleading, baby shouting,
"Ah! but Bessie's more'n she wants."
THE DINNER-POT.
The homeliest things are highest worth,
The dinner-pot's a treasure
Compared with diamonds, chains and rings,
Which serve alone for pleasure;--
Enwreathe the dinner-pot with flame,
And fill it with love's mixings,
And it possesses charms beyond
All gold or fancy fixings.
And then, our bony frame-work, too,
So stiff and hard and homely,
Will serve when plumpness all is gone,
And lost is all that's comely.
Fling beauty, grace and sweetness round,
Festoon your lives with flowers,
But ne'er forget that plainest things
Are life's most precious dowers.