Classic Poem

Young Robert LeClade the millionaire
Was leisurely passing a toy-shop where
A poor little tot with a ragged dress —
That signal of want to his lordship, Success —
Looked into the window and wistfully eyed
The numberless beautiful dolls inside,
And stopping to listen he heard her say:
" Why could n't you dollies come out and play?
Have n't you got any every-day clothes?
You could n't come out as you are, I suppose:
Silk stockings, kid slippers, a feather and hat; —
If ever I bought me a dolly like that,
So prettily dressed, I guess it would be
Ashamed of a poor ragged mother like me! "

Spoke Robert: " Pray, where do you live, little dear?
And what are you doing away over here? "
" God helps little children, " said she, " if they 're good,
But I live in a very bad neighborhood
And cannot expect him to look after me,
So I come over here where He 's likely to be,
And look at the dollies most every day;
Then counting my pennies I run away
For fear the dollies will see me cry —
For pennies are scarce and dollies are high! "

It touched the heart of Robert LeClade,
Who, taking the hand of the little maid,
Went into the store, asking Mrs. Martell
For the prettiest dolly she had to sell;
Which the widow's beautiful daughter got;
And this he gave to the little tot;
Then filling her pockets with coin, said he,
" Take that to your mamma, whoever she be! "
For Robert LeClade had learned that day:
One gets more back than he gives away.

Then the poor little tot gave his coat a pull,
While her arms and her heart and her eyes were full;
Her thanks told only in grateful sobs —
That matchless speech of the heart that throbs —
She pressed his hand to her quivering lips;
'T was a touch of the soul on the finger-tips!
Then hugging her treasure ran off pell-mell.

" If I were your mother, " sobbed Mrs. Martell,
" I'd kiss you myself, for the good you 've wrought! "
" So would I! " said the daughter, before she thought: —
Her heart had taken her tongue by surprise,
Then gone to her cheek to apologize —
How often has truth from captivity sprung
And peached on the heart by a slip of the tongue.

Then Robert discovered, as others have done,
That in searching for dolls he had overlooked one:
" I wanted the prettiest doll in the store;
Good Widow Martell, you have one dolly more
I would give the half of my wealth to own;
For a prettier dolly I never have known.
And not until now could I fully prize
The jeweled light in her luminous eyes. "

" You would like to buy? " said Mrs. Martell,
" And such a bargain would please me well,
I 'm aware of the virtues that you extol,
But ask her yourself, — she 's a talking doll. "
But Nellie, the daughter, made quick reply:
" Some dollies there are that money can't buy!
Am I on the bargain counter to-day? —
Or a sample of dolls to be given away? —
Would you gaze on my features, examine my nose? —
Find out if my eyes will both open and close? —
If I 'm china, or bisque, or papier-mâche,
With sawdust well stuffed the conventional way? —
If the clothes are well made and the scalp is on tight? —
If my arms are in place and the joints working right?
You 've purchased one dolly already to-day;
It was no sooner bought than given away;
But it showed me your heart was worth more than your gold;
And since you will purchase I 'm here to be sold
If you 'll give me a deed to the heart, title clear,
With the wealth of its revenues always, my dear. "
" A bargain! " cried Robert. " First payment be this: "
As he leaned o'er the counter to give her a kiss.

" N-n-no! " said the maid, as she backed out of range,
" Would you pay me in cash for the sake of the change?
Do not whistle so loud till you 're out of the woods;
And please mind the placard: " Don't handle the goods! "
All these kisses are yours, but be patient until
I 've delivered the goods and presented my bill .
When lips are caressing their language is such
They try to tell all, and get talking too much.
So I 'll give you just one and put my heart in it,
But I cannot turn kissing-doll all in a minute. "