E-text prepared by Janet Kegg and the Project Gutenberg Online Distributed Proofreading Team                 (https://www.pgdp.net)

 

 

"Sophy," he said, "I have found the lost key of Hynds House"

     A WOMAN NAMED SMITH 

 BY

 MARIE CONWAY OEMLER 

 author of SLIPPY McGEE, Etc. 

author of SLIPPY McGEE, Etc.

 GROSSET  & DUNLAP PUBLISHERS NEW YORK 

1919

                           To 

                 ELIZABETH HEYWARD OEMLER 

 Sometimes my Little Girl. 

           When you were yet an Awful Baby, And bawled o' bed-time, I said "Maybe It is not best to spank or scold her:             Suppose a fairy-tale were told her?"            And gave you then, to my undoing, The wolf Red Riding-Hood pursuing; Sang Mother Goose her artless rhyming; Showed Jack the Magic Beanstalk climbing; Three Little Pigs were so appealing, You set up sympathetic squealing! Then, Bitsybet, you had your mother—  You bawled until I told another! 

           The Awful Baby's gone. Here lately You bear your little self sedately. You've shed your rompers; you want dresses Prinked out with frillies; fluff your tresses; Delight your daddy, aunts, and mother; And sisterly set straight your brother. Your bib-and-tucker days abolished, Your manners and your nails are polished. One baby trait remains, thank glory! You're still a glutton for 

  P 1/196 next