[Illustration]

  Another wonder now attracts
  The simple Sarah Jane;
       Upon one knee
       She drops with glee,
  In case this box contain

  Some pretty thing to give her joy,
  Some new-discovered treat! 
       Old Peg’, who planned
       The fun in hand,
  Watches with face discreet.

[Illustration]

  The lock unlatched, the lid springs up,
  Knocks Sarah on her back,
       With flying hair
       And trying stare,
  Out of the box springs “Jack”.

  Our naughty Peg’ enjoys the scene,
  Laughs lung with fiendish glee;
       Next takes to flight,
       Gets out of sight,
  Fresh tricks to plan you’ll see.

[Illustration]

  Soon Sarah’s heart new courage takes,
  She hits upon a plan;
       Makes up her mind
       To run behind
  And kill the staring man!

  Attempts are vain, he will not die! 
  In terror Sarah flees;
       Meets a new toy
       Called “Scissors Boy”,
  And begs him just to please.

[Illustration]

  To help her pay bad Peggy back
  For her malicious tricks;
       Nor does she see
       That even he
  Enjoys her woeful “fix”.

  Peg’s pious face and peaceful pose
  You’d think portended fair,
       When like a flash
       She makes a dash,
  Sends Sarah high in air!

[Illustration]

  Entangled in the “Scissors Boy”,
  Alas! death seems quite near;
       Her trust betrayed,
       This hapless maid
  Sobs out her grief and fear.

  ’Twas Peggy’s fault the whole way through;
  The boy had meant no harm. 
       Both ran away,
       Nor thought to stay
  Poor Sarah’s fright to calm.

[Illustration]

  A handsome soldier passing by,
  His heart quite free from guile,
       With martial air
       And manner rare
  Soon helped the girl to smile.

  He said the Ball would now begin
  And begged her for a dance;
       She bowed so low,
       It looked as tho’
  Her style had come from France.

[Illustration]

  A lively waltz the couple take,
  While all admire their grace,
       As round and round
       Upon the ground
  They spin with quickened pace.

  And shameless Peg’ sits on a chair
  A true “flower of the wall”
       While Sarah Jane,
       Tis very plain,
  Need never rest at all.

[Illustration]

  With graceful compliment the Clown
  Bows low before the belle,
       Whose modest face,
       And simple grace,
  In starry robe looked well.

  “I know I’m but a stupid Clown,
  And play a clumsy role;
       Yet underneath
       This painted sheath
  I wear an ardent Soul.”

[Illustration]