Who is the dearest little lad,
That aunt or mother ever had,
To love when gay and cheer when sad?
Our boy.
May angels guard him with their wings,
And all brave, good and happy things,
Make nobler thou than crowned kings.
Our boy.
March 28th, 1875.
John, the original of Daisy in "Little Women," received in his babyhood days from Aunt Louisa, some tiny blue stockings with this verse:
Two pair of blue hose,
For Johnny's white toes,
So Jack Frost can't freeze em,
Nor darned stockings tease em,
So pretty and neat
I hope the small feet
Will never go wrong,
But walk straight and strong,
The way father went.
We shall all be content,
If the dear little son
Be a second good John.
On his tenth birthday, both Grandpa and Grandma Alcott sent these characteristic greetings to their younger grandson:
Grandma Alcott to Johnny.
10th birthday. June 24th. 1875.
Giving song, all day long,
Under the elm or willow;
With sunshine shed
On the little head
That rests on Grandma's pillow.
To and fro,
Let it go,
While inside piping cheery,
As he takes his rest
In his hang-bird's nest
Lies Grandma's little deary.