Slovenly Betsy

<h2>THE STORY OF ROMPING POLLY</h2> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0"><span class="f1">&#8220;I</span> pray you now, my little child,&#8221;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Thus once a kind old lady<br/></span> <span class="i0">Spoke to her niece in accents mild,<br/></span> <span class="i0">&#8220;Do try to be more steady.<br/></span> <span class="i0">I know that you will often see<br/></span> <span class="i0">Rude boys push, drive, and hurry;<br/></span> <span class="i0">But little girls should never be<br/></span> <span class="i0">All in a heat and flurry.&#8221;<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/image_45.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="641" alt="Illustration" /></div> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">While thus the lady gave advice<br/></span> <span class="i0">And lectured little Polly,<br/></span> <span class="i0">To see her stand with downcast eyes,<br/></span> <span class="i0">You'd think she'd owned her folly.<br/></span> <span class="i0">She did, and many a promise made;<br/></span> <span class="i0">But when her aunt departed,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Forgetting all, the silly maid<br/></span> <span class="i0">Off to the playground started.<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/image_47.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="643" alt="Illustration" /></div> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Now see what frolic and what fun,<br/></span> <span class="i0">The little folks are after;<br/></span> <span class="i0">Away they jump, away they run,<br/></span> <span class="i0">With many a shout and laughter.<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/image_49.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="647" alt="Illustration" /></div> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">But fools who never will be taught,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Except by some disaster,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Soon find their knowledge dearly bought,<br/></span> <span class="i0">And of a cruel master.<br/></span> <span class="i0">This little girl, who, spite of all<br/></span> <span class="i0">Her good old aunt had spoken,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Would romp about, had such a fall<br/></span> <span class="i0">That her poor leg was broken.<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/image_51.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="643" alt="Illustration" /></div> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">In sore amaze, those standing by<br/></span> <span class="i0">Then placed her on a barrow;<br/></span> <span class="i0">But oh! to hear her scream and cry<br/></span> <span class="i0">Their souls it sure did harrow.<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/image_53.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="644" alt="Illustration" /></div> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">See how her brother bursts in tears,<br/></span> <span class="i0">When told the dreadful story;<br/></span> <span class="i0">And see how carefully he bears<br/></span> <span class="i0">The limb all wet and gory.<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/image_55.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="651" alt="Illustration" /></div> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">Full many a week, screwed up in bed,<br/></span> <span class="i0">She lingered sad and weary;<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/image_57.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="653" alt="Illustration" /></div> <div class="poem"><div class="stanza"> <span class="i0">And went on crutches, it is said,<br/></span> <span class="i0">Until she died so dreary.<br/></span></div> </div> <div class="figcenter"> <ANTIMG src="images/image_59.jpg" width-obs="450" height-obs="652" alt="Illustration" /></div> <hr style="width: 65%;" /> <div style="break-after:column;"></div><br />