DOLLY'S LETTER.

Observer, Volume 7, Issue 233, 28 February 1885, Page 6

DOLLY'S LETTER.

(WRITTEN FOR THE OBSERVER.) Dear Mamma, — As per promise, I. drop you a line Just to say that dear .Jack and" myself are " the shine " ; We've concluded our shopping, and nothing remains But the " registrar scene," with its pleasures and pains. When that trying ordeal has launched us£ afloat, We are coming down home by the very first boat. I have not neglected the lectures you gave On ''Domestic Economy — Learning to-Save," And I think, when you've glanced through the list I have bought, You'll not say that I've fool'd away more than I ought. The first thing, of course, was my bridal trousseau, And I wended my way to a second-hand Jew, Who had quite an assortment of wardrobes on view, And the whole of his stock I went leisurely through Till I made a selection, rich, tasteful, aud yellow, A delicate blending of scarlet and yellow ; Neat, but not gaudy, with trimmings replete, And useful to wear in the house or the street. To a famed "Johnnie- All-Sorts" we next steered our way, W T here I purchased a second-hand kettle, a tray, Two passable saucepans with only one lid ; For a crazy old wash-tub I then gave a bid, A "Yankee piano," two dozen of pegs, And a rickety washstand with ouly three legs ; A beautiful ewer (except for the handle), And an elegant bottle for holding the candle ; I wasted no money on tables or chairs Lest the neighbours might say that I gave myself airs. My Jack is a fellow that knows how to push, And one don't look for luxuries down in the bush ; But I've bought a fine tea-pot of beautiful delf, To create an effect upon table or shelf ; A billy is all very well in its way, But one doesn't get married, you know, every day. I've a few cups and saucers to give us a start, And two handy flat-irons (I take my own part). I've bought some nice early potatoes for seed, And a whole lot of small odds and ends that I need, -^^ Not forgetting some jalap to flavour the rum^f When those horrid, intrusive tin-kettlers come ; I will make matters lively for them for a day, And 'twill make a small quantity go a long way. But there's something, mamma, that I'm sure I've forgot ; I've been thinking, and thinking, and cannot tell what — A besom — a bucket — a pie-dish — a ladle ? — Oh, dear ! why, of course, I've forgotten the ! Ah ! well, it's too late in the day to go back, I suppose I'll have to make use of poor Jack ; But when a man takes one for better or worse He turns up his nose if one asks him to nurse ! When our list was complete we were ready to go; I packed up the things, and Jack carried the poTatoes down through the street from the shop to the boat, Which saved your best daughter from changing a note. I have no more to tell you, except to remark That I hope most sincerely you'll keep it alt dark, And mind, my dear mother, whatever you do, Don't mention a word to that Long Kangaroo.