The Elf-Child.

Otago Witness, Issue 1796, 24 April 1886, Page 27

The Elf-Child.

Little Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay, An' wash the cups an' saucers up, an' brush the crumbs away, An' shoo the chickens off the porch, an' dust the hearth, an' sweep, An' make the lire, an' bake the bread, an' earn her board-an'-keep ; An' all us other children, -when the supper thing 3 is done, We set around the kitchen fire, an' has the mostest fun A-list'nin' to the ■witch tales 'at Annie tells about, An' the gobble-uus 'at gits you Ef you Don't Watch Out! Onc't they was a a little boy wouldn't say his pray'rs — An' when lie went to bed at night, away up-sfcairs, His mammy heerd him holler, an' his daddy heerd him bawl, An' when they turn't the kivvers down he wasn't there at all ! An' they seeked him in the rafter-room, an' cubbyhole, an' press. An' seeked him up the ehimbly-ilue, an' every wheres, I guess, But all they ever found was his pants an' roundabouts !—! — An' ti. v ffobble-uns'll git you Ef you Don't Watch Outl An' one rime a little girl 'ud allus laugh an' grin, An' make fun of ever' one an' all her blood-an-kin, An' onc't, when they was "company," an' old folks was there, She mocked 'em an' shocked 'em, and said she didn't care! An' tliist as she kicked her heels, an' turn't to run an' hide, They was two great big Big Black Things a-standin' by her side, An' they snatched her through the ceilin' 'fore she knowed what she's about ! An' the gouble-uns'll get you Ef you Don't Watch Out! An' little Orphant Annie says when the blaze is blue, An' the lampwick sputters, nn' the wind goes Woo-oo ! An' you hear the crickets quit, an' the moon is grey, An' the lightnin'-bugs in dew is all squenched away — You better mind yer parents, an' yer teachers fond an' dear. An* cherish them 'at loves you, and dry the orph ant's tear, An' hep the po' an' needy ones, 'a( clusters all about, Er the gobble-uns'il get you Ef you 'Don't AVatch Out! — JA-5. WirTTOOMB KILEY.