Six years went by, and I happened to look at my toys one day. 
    When I came across a wooden horse with which I used to play,
    A little wooden pony I found in the old toy “press,”
    That I once had got in a present from dear little brown-eyed Bess
    ’Mongst the flowers I was dreaming and thinking—­Was I ever to see
        her more? 
    When roused by a sound I looked and saw a carriage before the door
    I ran right out of the garden and up the wooden stair,
    Till I came to my own pink bedroom where I quickly smoothed my hair;
    At my heart came a rush of rapture as I hastened to brush my dress
    For who was down in the parlor?  ’Twas dear little brown-eyed Bess.

    Once more does our friendship flourish like the flowers in the
        garden-bed,
    And a tall young stately maiden is in little Bessie’s stead. 
    When I look at this stately maiden I think of the bright pink moss,
    I think of a foaming brooklet with a bridge of stones across;
    I think of a waste of heather, a collie pup, and a cat,
    In the arms of a rosy baby with a blue straw sun shade hat. 
    When I look at this stately maiden I cannot a smile suppress. 
    While I bless in my heart the good old times when I knew her
        as little Bess.

JEANIE P. H. SIMPSON

[Illustration:  Dear little brown-eyed Bess.]

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

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