Chapter 11

My dolly! my own little daughter! Oh, but it's the awfullest crack! It just makes me sick to think of the sound When her poor head went whack Against this horrible brass thing That holds up the little shelf. Now, Nursey, what makes you remind me? I know that I did it myself?

I think you must be crazy-- You'll get her another head! What good would forty heads do her? I tell you my dolly is dead! And to think that I hadn't quite finished Her elegant New Year's hat! And I took a sweet ribbon of hers List night to tie on that horrid cat!

When my mamma gave me that ribbon-- I was playing out in the yard-- She said to me most expressly: "Here's a ribbon for Hildegarde." And I went and put it on Tabby, And Hildegarde saw me do it; But I said to myself, "Oh, never mind, I don't believe she knew it!"

But I know that she knew it now, And I just believe, I do, That her poor little heart was broken, And so her head broke too. Oh, my baby! my little baby! I wish my head had been hit! For I've hit it over and over, And it hasn't cracked a bit.

But since the darling is dead, She'll want to be buried of course; We will take my little wagon, Nurse, And you shall be the horse; And I'll walk behind and cry; And we'll put her in this--you see, This dear little box--and we'll bury Them under the maple tree.

And papa will make a tombstone, Like the one he made for my bird; And he'll put what I tell him on it-- Yes, every single word! I shall say: "Here lies Hildegarde, A beautiful doll that is dead; She died of a broken heart, And a dreadful crack in her head."

Margaret Vandegrift

Dolly's Doctor

Dolly, my darling, is dreadfully sick; Oh, dear! what shall I do? Despatch to the doctor a telephone quick To bring her a remedy new.

Hush! that is the doctor's tap! tap! tap! Don't make such a terrible noise-- Don't you see how the darling lies still on my lap, And never looks up at you boys!

Come, doctor, and tell me now just what you think Would be best for my darling so sweet. 'Give dolly a bucket of water to drink, In a bowl of hot gruel put her feet.'

[Page 50--Dolly Land]

Christening Dolly

See, this is my Christmas dolly, Two weeks ago she came; And, oh! the trouble I have had To find a pretty name.

At first I thought of Marguerite-- A French name, meaning "pearl"-- But Nellie said, "Oh! that's too stiff For such a graceful girl."

And then I mentioned, one by one, Susanna, Ruth, and Poll, "But they are too old-fashioned names Said Nell, "to suit your doll."

So the next day I got a great big book, And searched it through and through, Then shook my head and sadly said: "There's not one name will do."

My brother Tom was sitting near, He raised his eyes and smiled; "Why, Pussy dear," he kindly said, "Suppose I name your child."

"Oh! will you Brother Tom?" I cried, And then I hugged him, so; (hugging her doll.) "We'll play you are the parson That christens folks, you know."

So then, he took her in his arms And solemnly and slow He said: "This baby's name shall be Miss Josephine, or Jo."

And there, before I knew it, My baby had a name; And what I like about it, is, That mine is just the same.

E.C. and J.T. Rook

The Dollies Visit

Three little girls brought each a doll, To pass an afternoon; The dresses all were soon displayed, Their bangles made a tune; And when they parted to go home, One young girl shrewdly said: "Our dollies have behaved real nice-- They have no scandal spread." W.

The Little Girl Over The Way

Whenever I'm tired of reading, Or lonely in my play, I come to the window here, and watch The little girl over the way.

But she will not look nor listen, Nor stand for a moment still; And though I watch her the livelong day, I'm afraid she never will.

For some day some one will buy her, And carry her quite away;-- She is only a doll in a great glass-case, The little girl over the way.

Maggie's Talk to Doll

My dolly dear, Come sit up here! And say why you don't cry. I've struck your head Against the bed, And cracked your pretty eye,

My dolly dear, Do sit up here, And let me see your face; And say, my pet, Why you don't fret Now Pug has got your place.

My pretty Poll My dear, dear doll, Why don't you eat or talk? Like sister Jane, And Sally Blane, And then go for a walk?

You have an eye, But never cry, And lips, but never prattle; You've fingers ten, Like brother Ben, But never shake the rattle.

You never eat, Nor drink, nor sleep, Nor move unless you're carried: And when I pinch, You never flinch, Nor say that you are worried.

Minnie to Dolly

Your hair is so pretty, Your eyes are so blue, Your cheeks are so rosy, Your frock is so new, You're the prettiest dolly I ever did see. Though your hair is so pretty, And your eyes are so blue, I'd rather be Minnie Than I would be you,

For you can't see the flowers When they come up in spring; You can't hear the birdies, How sweetly they sing; Nor run out of doors To look in the sky, And see the white clouds As they pass swiftly by.

You've no kind of papa Or mamma to be near, To love you and teach you; So, dolly, my dear, Though your cheeks are so rosy, And your dress is so new, I'd rather be Minnie Than I would be you.

My Dolly

My Dolly, Polly Angelina Brown, Has a pretty little bonnet, And a pretty little gown; A pretty little bonnet, With a lovely feather on it; Oh, there's not another like it To be found in all the town!

My Dolly, Polly, is a precious little pet; Her eyes are bright as jewels, And her hair is black as jet; I hug her, and I kiss her! And oh, how I should miss her If she were taken from me; Oh how I should grieve and fret!

My little brother Charley, Says my Dolly is "a muff," And he calls her other horrid names Though that is bad enough; And though he's very clever, I never, no, I never Let him handle her or dandle her, For boys, you know, are rough.

My Dolly's always smiling; She was never known to frown. And she looks so very charming In her Sunday hat and gown. You really ought to see her To get a good idea Of the beauty of my Dolly, Polly Angelina Brown.

Dolly's Wedding

Come along; come along; The rain has gone away. Dingle-dong! dingle dong; It is Dolly's wedding-day!

Charley has got his night-gown on. Mary has put the chairs: Charley is the clergyman Who'll marry them up-stairs. Come along; come along; The rain has gone away. Dingle-dong! dingle dong; It is Dolly's wedding-day!

Sambo has got an old white hat, And a coat with but one tail; Sambo's face is very black, Dolly's is rather pale. Come along; come along; The rain has gone away. Dingle-dong! dingle dong; It is Dolly's wedding-day!

Sambo has got a woolly pate, Dolly has golden hair. When Sambo marries Dolly, They'll be a funny pair! Come along; come along; The rain has gone away. Dingle-dong! dingle dong; It is Dolly's wedding-day!

[Page 51--Dolly Land]

My Doll

I found my old dolls In the attic to-day, In a box where I long ago Laid them away. It was silly, I know, But 'twas such a surprise, The sight of their faces Brought tears to my eyes.

There was poor little Flossie, With azure eyes closed. For many a month She had quietly dozed, In the little silk gown In which I last dressed her-- That time was brought back So I stopped and caressed her;

And then, as I raised her, She opened her eyes, And stared at her mother In such sad surprise That I kissed her and laid Her again in her place To keep her reproachful Blue eyes off my face.

And next I uncovered My little bisque Mabel, To meet whose brown eyes I was still more unable. There gaze was surprised, But exceedingly mild, My poor little, dear little, Led-away child!

And I kissed her, her face Looked so childish and sweet, And I held for a moment Her little kid feet, For her stockings were scattered, And so were her shoes, And then, when I found them, They gave me the blues.

I kissed her, and laid her Back in the box, but She looked at me still (For her eyes would not shut) And hastily covering Her face from my sight, I searched till wax Elsie I brought to the light.

Now, that poor little doll Was only my niece, Her eyes were dark blue And her curls white as fleece But her nose was so flat, 'Twas no longer a nose, And her wax cheeks had faded And lost all their rose.

From losing her sawdust Her body was slender, Yet for those very reasons My kiss was more tender, And I laid the poor thing Away with a sigh, And feeling, I must say, Like having a cry.

One big doll was missing,-- My dear Rosabel,-- How much I did love her, I really can't tell. It is painful, indeed, To be talking about, But I loved her so much That I quite wore her out.

Well, well, I am older, But I'm sure I'm not glad. The thought of those old times, In fact makes me sad. And, although the feeling Is silly, I know, I cannot help sighing: "Oh! why did I grow?"

Bertha Gerneaux Davis

Mistress Of Four Dollies

This little girl, I'm glad to say, Is eight years old this very day. She makes a hat for the little "Doll," And puts in it a feather tall.

One doll is large, and one is small, Another short another tall. She talks to them. They won't obey, And then she says, "You cannot play."

Grandmamma's Visit

With grandma's cap upon her head, And spectacles on her nose, And grandma's shawl upon her back, Grace to her sister goes.

"My dear grandchild, although I am Now getting very old, I've toddled all this way to ask About your Dolly's cold."

"Dear Grandmamma, I thank you much, And I am glad to say She had a good sound sleep last night, And is quite well to-day."

Lucy's Dolls

Five little dolls To claim my care To fix their clothes And comb their hair;

Five little dolls To dress and keep And put away Each night to sleep.

I don't think grown Folks ever know What troubles small Folks undergo;

I have to cook To please all five-- I wonder much That I'm alive!

[Page 52--Dolly Land]

Dolly Is Dead

I can't help crying! Oh dear! My doll is dead, I fear, Yes, she must be dead, For she's lost her head, And she looks so horribly queer. But they say our doctor's a clever man, I'll get him to put on her head if he can.

The Doll Show

(For seven little girls--six with dolls. The seventh to be the judge.)

_First girl enters, with doll in her arms._

We're going to have a dolly show, This very afternoon-- The little girls will bring their dolls, (I think they'll be here soon),

And then we'll have such lots of fun, We'll place them in a row, And the one the judge declares the best Will take the prize, you know.

My dolly is all ready, I've dressed her as a bride; Don't she look sweet; She'll take the prize, Of that I'm satisfied.

_Places her doll on a bench or chair, and takes a seat._

_Second Girl_

Oh, such a time as I have had, I thought I would be late; I took so very, very long To dress my little Kate,

But here she is, my infant doll, So white, and clean, and pure, Oh, yes, my precious darling, You'll take the prize, I'm sure.

_Places doll next to doll No. 1 and takes a seat._

_Third Girl--Carrying a handsome French Doll._

My dolly came from Sunny France, Her name is Antoinette, She's two years old on Christmas day, And she's my dearest pet.

Her feet and hands are very small, Her hair is soft and light, Her eyes the deepest, darkest blue, And very large and bright.

This handsome dress from Paris came, Also this stylish hat, Why, she of course will take the prize, I'm positive of that.

_Places her doll by doll No. 2, and takes a seat._

_Fourth Girl_

I hope they've saved a little space For Jack, my sailor lad, The bravest, best, and nicest son A mother ever had.

He wears a suit of navy blue-- I've brought him to the show Because he looks so very nice, He'll take the prize, I know.

_Places it by doll No. 3, and sits down._

_Fifth Girl--a very small girl holding by the arm a large rag baby with a long dress._

My mamma's writing letters, And told me--"run away," And so I brought my dolly To the baby show, to-day.

She isn't very pretty, But she's very nice, I think, Her eyes, and nose, and little mouth, My mamma made with ink.

I love my Dolly, 'cause she's good-- She never never cries, So don't you think she'll be the one To carry off the prize?

_Places her doll by doll No. 4, and takes a seat._

_Sixth Girl_

They mustn't crowd my baby out, Although she's black as night. I think she'll stand as good a chance As babies that are white.

She's very neat, and nice, and clean, Her lips are cherry red, She wears a gay bandanna Tied round her curly head.

She's a very handsome lady, And if the judge be wise, I do not have the slightest doubt That she will take the prize.

_Places her doll by doll No. 5, and sits down._

_First Girl--to the girls_

Do not open your mouths, Nor shut your eyes! For here comes the judge To award the prize.

_Seventh Girl--Enters carrying a wand. She views each doll in turn with critical eyes, then pointing to the first doll, says--_

Number one is very pretty, But I think she's rather tall.

_Points to No. 2_

And this cunning little baby, Is a little bit too small.

_No. 3_

Number three--a fine French lady, Too Frenchy is, I fear.

_Points to No. 4_

And Master Jack, I like your looks, But I think you dress too queer.

_No. 5_

And this old-fashioned baby doll, I guess lived in the ark;

_No. 6_

No, no, Miss Dinah, no prize for you, Your skin is much too dark.

_Then turning to the little girls, she continues:_

And now, dear anxious mothers, I find I can't decide Which doll shall have the premium, But I'll be satisfied

If you'll call another meeting To-morrow afternoon, I need more time to settle this-- To-day is much too soon.

So, mothers, now I give these babies Back to your loving care; And I thank you much for bringing them To our famous Baby Fair.

_Hands each doll to it's owner._

_Exit all._

[Page 53--Dolly Land]

A Doll's Adventures Round the World

All round the world and back again Dolly and I have been; By sea and land we've travelled far, The strangest sights have seen.

To Greenland first we sailed away To see the snow and ice, But Dolly's nose--it nearly froze-- Oh, dear! that wasn't nice!

So off we tripp'd to Canada, There 'twas not quite so cold-- But there the Indians in the woods Rushed after us so bold.

We ran away to Montana, O'er Rocky Mountains high, To picnic in wild Oregon, Famous for pumpkin pie.

Then down to California, Through many a field of gold, And over ancient Mexico, Past temples manifold.

The Sandwich Isles we visited, Where grew such radiant flowers, And pretty girls danced all the day In fragrant, rosy bowers.

We crossed the Equatorial Seas, And, sailing round and round The lovely islands of the main, Sweet coral groves we found.

New Zealand's shores we landed at, The country of strange things-- Cherries that carried the stones out-side, And flowers with butterflies' wings.

Oh, when we reach Australia-- What heaps and heaps of gold! And a million sheep and lambs we saw Straying from fold to fold.

To buy some tea-pots and some trays, We called at quaint Japan, Where a very polite old Japanese Gave Dolly an ivory fan.

We took a trip to Chinese land To take a cup of tea, But neither sugar nor cream was given, Which didn't suit Dolly and me.

Then travelling to Hindustan, We met a tiger there, Who looked as though he would eat us up-- So off we flew elsewhere.

And found ourselves in the Khyber Pass, In the midst of a Caravan, With which we travelled night and day To reach Afghanistan.

Across the Red Sea next we sail'd And through the Suez Canal, To purchase a camel at old Cairo, With a trot most magical,

Across the Desert we rode apace, No water was there to drink, Ah, oh!--while climbing a Pyramid Dolly dropped down a chink.

An Arab kindly rescued her-- (She did so ruffle her hair; If ever she plays that trick again She'll have to be left down there.)

At last we left the Desert drear, To sail upon the Nile, In the Pasha's beautiful diabeheh Past many a crocodile.

We saw no end of wonders now In Africa's strange land-- Forests full of lions fierce, And many a savage band.

Our steamer on the Congo sank-- We were in a dreadful plight Until we met with Stanley true, And then we steered aright.

We said good-bye to Africa, And, though winds proved contrary, Northward our wondrous way we took To the Isles of sweet Canary.

Thence favouring gales conveyed us far Beyond the Spanish shore; Fast by the coast of France we sped To our own land once more.

And now we're safe at home again, And wise as wise can be; For seeing all the world's wonders Improves my Doll and me.

Sabina

The Story of a Doll

I stood in the semi-darkness And watched a child at her play; Her cares were of multiform nature, And the daylight was speeding away.

Her dolly demanded attention, To be petted and kissed and be fed; To have on its little nightgown, And then to be put in its bed.

All this with a motherly yearning She had learned by the instinct of love; And the dolly but faintly presented A gift from the heaven above.

The dear little creature had finished And was just about turning to go, When the scene all changed in a moment And turned into weeping and woe.

A boy, almost reaching to manhood, Dashed wildly from the room, And seizing the doll from the cradle Rushed out again into the gloom.

There was one wild scream from the maiden, A clasp of the hands and a chase; But the boy thought the thing was funny And was in for a brotherly race.

But soon, when the screaming was louder And he saw all the pain he had caused. He threw down the doll on the flooring, And sneering, he suddenly paused.

"I wouldn't be such a cry-baby," he said, With a half-mocking drawl; "I can buy plenty more that's just like it, "It's only a plaster doll.

"Why don't you get one made of china, Instead of that plaster thing? An then I would try to respect it," And he took himself off with a fling.

"Oh, my dolly, my dolly is broken," And quick in her bosom she hid The maimed little bit of her sunshine, "I Loved it, I loved it, I did.

"I don't care if it was only plaster; 'Twas my dolly, my dolly, my own." And she knelt by the mangled plaything. "And now I am left all alone."

Ten years from that very evening, I stood by the couch of a child, While a man knelt and wept beside it, With a face both haggard and wild.

'Twas the old scene of the dolly repeated, The boy had to manhood grown; A hand crushed his plaster idol And left him to mourn all alone.

Ah me! how the world is repeated, The work of each day o'er and o'er. We all have our broken dollies Away on the golden shore. Did he think, I wonder, of that one He threw on the carpetless floor.

Watson

[Page 54--Dolly Land]

I am homesick, Dolly Dear

Dolly knows what's the matter-- Dolly and I. It isn't the mumps nor the measles-- Oh! dear, I shall die! It's the mothering we want, Dolly, The--what shall I call it? And grandpa says he has sent-- He put the 'spatch safe in his wallet.

I know well enough that he dropped That telegraph 'spatch in the fire, If mother just knew, she'd come If 'twas on the telegraph wire! She'd take my poor head, That is splitting this very minute, And she'd sing "There's a Happy Land," And the hymn that has "Darling" in it.

Course, I like grandpa's house; It's the splendidest place to stay, When there's all the outdoors to live in, And nothing to do but to play; Somehow you forget your mother-- That is, just the littlest bit, Though if she were here, I suppose That I shouldn't mention it.

But oh! there's a difference, Dolly, When your head is so full of pains That ('cepting the ache that's in 'em) There's nothing left of your brains, Remember how nice it feels, Dolly, To have your head petted and "poored." Ache? Why I ache all over, And my bed is as hard as a board.

Nurse says "It's a sweet, lovely morning." It may be for all that I care; There's just one spot in this great wide world That is pretty--I wish I was there! I can see the white roses climbing All over the low porch door, And the daisies and buttercups growing-- I never half loved them before.

And mother--let's see! she's standing In that very same door, no doubt; She loves to look out in the morning And see what the world is about, In a pale-blue something-or-other-- A loose sort of wrapper, I guess; As if a few yards of sky Had been taken to make a dress.

And up from the pine woods yonder Comes a beautiful woodsy smell, And the breeze keeps a hinting of May flowers-- The real-pink arbutus bell; And I think most likely the robins Have built in the cherry tree; And by and by there'll be birdies-- And I shall not be there to see!

Did you hear any noise, Dolly! Speak, Dolly, you little witch! As if someone was laughing--or crying! I couldn't tell which! We've kept from crying, so far; We've choked but we wouldn't cry; I've just talked it out to you, dear; I had to, or else I'd die.

But if that is you, mother-- And I know by your lips that it is-- I'll just squeeze your head off!-- You think that all I want is a kiss! O mother! to papa and Tom You needn't got mention it, But you know it was homesickness Almost killed your poor little Kit!

[Page 55--A Lady Making Dolls]

_Every Dolly Should Have A Name_

A Thousand Names For Dollies And Babies

Adam and Madam, Hagar and Jagar, Lottie and Tottie, Dinah and Nina, Hebe and Phoebe, Claude and Maude, Connell and Donnell, Dove and Love, Are all good names for dolls.

Ruth and Truth, Ducie and Lucy, Casper and Jasper, Mercy and Percy, Angeletta and Vangeletta, Gilliam and William, Luby and Ruby, Ada and Saida, Are all good names for dolls.