Handsome Dick

ELZIE'S kitty, white as snow,

Loves his little mistress so,

That he'll come at her command,

Lift his paw to shake her hand,

Bow his head and kneel to her,

Rumpling all his milk-white fur;

Many another pretty trick,

Too, he's learned, our Elzie's Dick.







Well, the Church-Fair coming on,

Elzie thought, "What can be done

By a little girl like me,

In the cause of charity?"



Mam'a told her she would show

Her some fancy work to do,

Which a half-a-dozen dimes

Sure would bring;--so, many times

Elzie made her fingers fly

Neat and nice to form the "tie."

Now our Elzie, large and fine,

Looks like twelve, though only nine--

And the "tie" when quite complete,

Was so small, though choice and neat,

That it could not be denied,

Elzie was not satisfied.

So she shook her curly head,

As with curious smile she said:

"If I were a little girl,

Like Nannette or Cousin Pearl,

This wee 'tie' might then appear

Just the thing,--but now, I fear,

Looking at the 'tie' and me,

We shall seem to disagree.--







Now, Mamma, don't answer quick;

Stop and think,--my snowy Dick

At the Fair might win some pence,

By his wise obedience;

And his pretty winsome ways

Being shown through all the days;--

And, dear Mamma, then I should

Feel I'd done the best I could."



Quickly Mamma took the thought,

And a royal cage was brought;

Cushion made of scarlet bright,--

For our Dicky, pure and white,

Thus was wont to perch and sit,--

And a collar blue we fit

To his neck, when loyal, true,

He presents red, white, and blue.



So the cage is placed within

A sly corner, free from din,

And with tickets five cents each,

Elzie sought her end to reach.







"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.







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.