Nelly And Ned

"I'M twelve years old to-day," says Ned,

"And wish I were twelve more, sir,--

And Nelly Warner's almost twelve,

So we'd be twenty-four, sir."



"'And what of that!' Why, Nelly 'n' I

Have always played together;

And then I draw her on my sled,

To school in stormy weather.



"And all the goodies that we get,

We share them half and alf, sir;

And O, we have such lots of fun,

I'm sure 'twould make you laugh, sir!



"Now Nelly lives in Cottage Square,

While I live 'round the corner,

And all the boys would laugh and shout,

'Ned Jarrett loves Nell Warner.'











"I didn't care for this, you know,

But O, I couldn't bear it

When they began to laugh at her,

And say, 'Nell loves Ned Jarrett!'



"And so I thought I'd have to fight,--

And though I was the smallest

Of all the party, I's so mad

I'd easy beat the tallest.



"But Nelly coaxed and comforted,

And said, 'Why would I do it,

When they had only told the truth,

And everybody knew it!'"