So, looking meek and kind of shy, I paused, before I made reply; Then told her sometimes I was bad, But blamed the company that I had; ’Twas never any fault of mine, If ever I cut up a shine, And any mischief that was done Was nearly always just for fun.
So aunty smiled, and hoped I’d be A little lady, and she’d see If she could take me up to town, And try to tone my manners down. I then, at once, desired to know, If she couldn’t take my brother, Joe. She said she rather thought she would, If both would promise to be good. So off, in haste, I quickly ran, To tell of aunty’s pleasant plan, To dream of city’s new delights, And think of all the wondrous sights That soon would greet our verdant eyes And fill our hearts with glad surprise. So, then we soon began to pack-- Our outfit most was on our back-- Our trunks and traps were small and few, Which, fortunately, aunty knew.
So, on a balmy, summer day, We all prepared to start away To leave our home and mother, kind, And in the world our lot to find; When will life ever seem as bright As that receding from our sight? So, slowly riding down the lane We ne’er could call our own again, Poor mother wept in silent woe, But thought it best for us to go.
So, next you’ll see the orphan pair In the midst of city’s stifled air; No fields, no lanes, no trees to climb, A-wondering how we’d kill the time. What earthly goods we’d gladly give, To get back home again to live! Our aunty, sensible and kind, Told us to leave regrets behind, And, in her wise and pleasant way, Informed us, life was not all play.
But childhood’s troubles seldom last Much longer than the cause is past. The city soon began to be A wonder and a joy to me; My aunty got me pretty clothes And taught me how to turn my toes; She’d dress me up so clean and sweet And send me out into the street. I’d miss the “pies” and “puddles” there And to the gutters I’d repair, And play and paddle there in glee, Till I was summoned in to tea.
My vixen spirit, as of old, New mischief daily would unfold, And aunty shuddered, as she saw How little I respected law; So, wishing me to live by rule, She entered me, at once, in school.
One Monday morn in early Fall We made the nearest school a call, To ascertain if they would take A pupil willing to forsake All mischief and frivolity, And strictly stick to A, B, C.