Plain Jane

Excerpt

  That model Miss, Jemima Jane
  Was very good, and very plain;
  Her parents noticed with delight
  How neat she was, and how polite.
  Sometimes her young companions came
  And begged she'd join them in a game.
  But it was never any use;
  She'd make some civil, quiet excuse,
  And, "Dear Mama," she'd whisp'ring say,
  "I love plain sewing more than play;
  I hope you'll always think of me
  As your own gentle, busy Bee!"
  Jane rose at five. "What for?" you ask;
  And I reply, "To con her task."
  She breakfasted on milk and bread,
  Nor ever asked for aught instead;
  "I like it best, because," said she,
  "'Tis wholesome for a child like me."
  She used to think it quite a treat,
  To put her bed and chamber neat;
  But she enjoyed—oh, better far!
  Saying her tasks to her Mama.

[Illustration: Jane's Uncle]

  She took the air when these were done,
  But she would never romp and run;
  Prim and sedate she walked about,
  Her back quite straight, her toes turned out:
  And all the people, seeing this,
  Exclaimed, "Oh, what a model Miss!"
  Jane's Uncle, who lived far away,
  Sent her Mama a note one day,
  Explaining that he found he had
  To spend a fortnight in Bagdad.
  He had a daughter, and 'twas plain
  He hoped that she might stay with Jane.
  "She's a sad puss," he said, "I own;
  But I can't leave the child alone."
  "I think," Mama said, in a fuss,
  "We can't have her to stay with us:
  I do not like my Jane to mix
  With children who have naughty tricks."
  But Jane said, with a gentle smile,
  Plying her needle all the while,
  "Pray, let her come here, dear Mama,
  With the permission of Papa;
  I have a hope that she might be
  Influenced for her good by me:
  For I could show her that she would
  Be happier if she were good."

[Illustration: "She bought a rod that afternoon"]

    [Illustration: "Ann was brought there by
    a serving man"]

  At this her kind Mama relented,
  And, as her good Papa consented,
  That very day her mother wrote
  Her uncle quite a cordial note,
  Saying, "I think that it is clear
  Your Ann should spend your absence here"
  As she expected Ann quite soon,
  She bought a rod that afternoon.
  And sure enough, next Tuesday, Ann
  Was brought there by a serving-man.
  Alas! alas! it soon was plain
  She was not in the least like Jane!
  She ran and laughed and romped about,
  And raised a hubbub and a shout.
  "Oh, fie!" said Jane, "Pray, cousin Ann,
  Do be more tranquil if you can."
  But Ann just laughed, and did not care,
  And tweaked her cousin by the hair.
  When they were out she climbed a tree,
  Which quite annoyed the "busy Bee."
  "Fie, fie!" she cried. Ann said "Here goes:"
  And aimed an acorn at her nose!
  So Jane replied, "My good Mama
  Shall know how rude and rough you are."
  "Your good Mama!" said little Ann;
  "Well, if you want to tell, you can."
  She went away—went whistling too,
  Such a rude, boyish thing to do!

[Illustration: "Aimed an acorn at her nose"]

    [Illustration: "'_Indeed, indeed, I would much rather
    not proceed_'"]

  They went home shortly after, so
  Jane told Mama her tale of woe.
  "I do not tell this tale from choice,"
  She said, in her most gentle voice;
  "I thought you ought to know, you see,
  How cousin Ann climbed up a tree;
  And when I chid in gentle fashion,
  She flew into a dreadful passion,
  And—dear Mama, indeed, indeed,
  I would much rather not proceed."
  But since her mother thought it best,
  She dutifully told the rest.
  —"She threw things at me, tore my hair,
  And whistled as she left me there!"
  At this Mama looked grim and stern,
  And said that Ann had much to learn;
  And that she really felt unable
  To have such naughty girls at table....