156 A JOURNAL IN RHYME. Its hills, its beach, its winding streams, All charming things of beauty rare, Auntie, I must say good bye, He lives to love me and to sing. And I was delighted when He returned to his glad ways. NED. A SKETCH. LET me describe this charming dog, Sometimes I think a human soul, And human thoughts imprisoned lie Within that graceful form of his, And shine forth from his eye. He has so much of intellect, So quickly comprehends one's looks, And all that's said he understands As if he'd studied books. There is no need that he should speak; Is written on his knowing face Fastidious is he in his loves, In character as well as form TO JIP. LISTEN to me, Jip, I pray, When I heard a kitten mew, — Where the children always meet; What this mewing sound could be. Lo, before us kittens three! Little kittens all alone, Making a most dismal moan Where had the kittens' mother gone? That's a mystery yet unknown. In my arms so warm and true; Fearing our mothers might not be Thinking that you might be fated Yet I hoped my pet to save. In my apron white and fair Fast asleep you folded were, And thus I took you to mamma. She did not send you from her sight, But praised your charming black and white, Caressed, and kindly petted you, Which you acknowledged with a mew; And said that I might always keep My darling little playful Jip. |