A VISIT TO GRANDMAMMA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume VII, Issue 10, 7 March 1891, Page 19

A VISIT TO GRANDMAMMA.

When the corn was growing yellow, and the nuts were turning brown. The children went to spend the day with grandma, out of town. There were Robert, Grace and Reginald. Maud Estelle and Mollie But I ought to say. in passing, Maud Estelle was Grace’s dolly. A jolly little party! J ust enough to fill the surry. And when the coachman cracked his whip they started in a hurry ; And I rather think that mamma and pretty Auntie Flo Were just as glad to see them start as they were glad to go. They frolicked and they rollicked as they rolled along the road ; And grandmamma was waiting with a welcome for the load. They saw her watching by the gate w it h many a smile and nod. And said, ‘ How pretty grandma looks among the golden-rod I’ She kissed their happy faces, as they hung about her neck; And then they asked for cakies--they wanted * ’bout a peck.’ Now grandmamma was equal to a dozen hungry elves— She knew what she was doing when she stocked her pantry shelves. Such pans of golden gingerbread all sitting in a row— With lovely men and animals, made out of cookie dough, A score of tiny dainty pies, an i better than the rest. Plump doughnuts, just the colour of a baby robin’s breast. When luncheon time was over, and they started for a run. The leaden clouds came piling up, and quite obscured the sun ; And then the rain fell patter-patter on the roof and eaves, And ran in little rivulets among the fallen leaves. But grandmamma was equal to this emergency ; She called her disappointed brood around tier ample knee, And told them thrilling stories, with a patience quite sublime— Beginning every one of them with ‘ Once upon a time.’ Too soon the coachman cracked his whip and shouted, ‘All aboard!’ And when the last good-byes were said, the rain no longer poured, But danced along the crimson boughs, and fell in pearly snowers Upon the little outstretched hands that plucked the wayside flowers. Such a quiet little party las into tow r n they rolled. Just as the sun went slow’ly down behind the gates of gold. And I rather think that mamma and pretty Auntie Flo Were quite as glad to seem them come as they w r ere to have them go.

Julia M. Dana.