The Adventures of two Dutch Dolls and a "Golliwogg"

Pictures By [signed] Florence K. Upton

Words By Bertha Upton

DeWolfe, Fiske & Co. Boston



'Twas on a frosty Christmas Eve When Peggy Deutchland woke From her wooden sleep On the counter steep And to her neighbour spoke,

"Get up! get up, dear Sarah Jane! Now strikes the midnight hour, When dolls and toys Taste human joys, And revel in their power.



I long to try my limbs a bit, And you must walk with me; Our joints are good Though made of wood, And I pine for liberty.



For twelve long months we've lain in here. But we don't care a fig; When wide awake It does not take Us long to dance a jig.



But who comes here across our path, In gay attire bedight? A little girl With hair in curl, And eyes so round and bright.



Good evening Miss, how fine you look, Beside you I feel bare; I must confess I need a dress If I would look as fair.



On that high pole I see a flag With colors red and blue; Dear Sarah Jane 'Tis very plain A climb you'll have to do.



You're young and light—so now be quick Dear sister good and kind; You look dismayed Don't be afraid, It's not so hard you'll find.

Then up the pole with trembling limbs, Poor Sarah Jane did mount; She dared not lag, But seized the flag, Ere you could twenty count.

Big Peggy gazed with deep concern, And mouth wide open too; Her only care That she might wear A gown of brilliant hue.



Now Peg' by instinct seemed to know Where scissors might be got; The "fits" were bad, But then she had No patterns on the spot.

Soon where the garments hurried on; Sarah looked well in blue; Mirror in hand She took her stand, While Peggy pinned her's through.



Said Peggy—"After work so hard, I think a rest we need; Let's take a ride Seated astride Upon this gentle steed."

Then simple Sarah Jane climbed up Upon his wooden back; With tim'rous heart She felt him start Upon the open track.



Ere long they knew that hidden there, Beneath a stolid mien, Dwelt a fierce will. They could not still They rode as if by steam!



Peggy held on with tightening grip, While Sarah Jane behind, Having no hold To make her bold, To screaming gave her mind.

"O Peggy! put me down I pray! I ride in mortal dread! Do make him stop, Or I shall drop And break my wooden head!"

E'en as those piteous words she spoke, They struck a fearful "snag" Their grips they lost, And both were tossed Upon the cruel "flag".



Their senses for a moment gone, They lay in ghastly plight; Their fiery steed From burden freed, Maintained his onward flight.

Then each in aching consciousness Rose slowly with sad groans; Next faced about With angry shout, Followed by tears and moans.



Each blamed the other for the fall; Until, in gentler mood, Their hurts they dress, While both confess The crying did them good.

A wooden crutch poor Peggy finds To help her on her feet; Both solemn-faced Their steps retraced To where they first did meet.



But sorrow's tears are quickly dried With dolls as well as men.— A jolly crowd All laughing loud (I think you'll count just ten.)

Mounted a little wooden cart, While Peggy, brave and tried, Got up in front To bear the brunt Of "Hobby's" mighty stride.



Finding a pleasant open space, Gay Peg' unships her load; Suggests a game Which, it is plain, Will soon be quite the "mode."

She tells of former Christmas nights, When many of her kind, At leap-frog played, And merry made, Fast running like the wind.

The happy moments swiftly sped In unabated glee; Their lungs were strong, Their legs were long, And supple at the knee.



But soon they hear the clock strike "two" The hours are flying fast! With much to do Ere night be thro' Its' pleasures overpast!

"Just one leap more!" cries Sarah Jane, "This fills my wildest dream!" E'en as she spoke, Peg' Deutchland broke Into a piercing scream.

Then all look round, as well they may To see a horrid sight! The blackest gnome Stands there alone, They scatter in their fright.

With kindly smile he nearer draws; Begs them to feel no fear. "What is your name?" Cries Sarah Jane; "The 'Golliwogg' my dear."

Their fears allayed—each takes an arm, While up and down they walk; With sidelong glance Each tries her chance, And charms him with "small talk".



Another wonder now attracts The simple Sarah Jane; Upon one knee She drops with glee, In case this box contain

Some pretty thing to give her joy, Some new-discovered treat! Old Peg', who planned The fun in hand, Watches with face discreet.



The lock unlatched, the lid springs up, Knocks Sarah on her back, With flying hair And trying stare, Out of the box springs "Jack".

Our naughty Peg' enjoys the scene, Laughs lung with fiendish glee; Next takes to flight, Gets out of sight, Fresh tricks to plan you'll see.



Soon Sarah's heart new courage takes, She hits upon a plan; Makes up her mind To run behind And kill the staring man!

Attempts are vain, he will not die! In terror Sarah flees; Meets a new toy Called "Scissors Boy", And begs him just to please.



To help her pay bad Peggy back For her malicious tricks; Nor does she see That even he Enjoys her woeful "fix".

Peg's pious face and peaceful pose You'd think portended fair, When like a flash She makes a dash, Sends Sarah high in air!



Entangled in the "Scissors Boy", Alas! death seems quite near; Her trust betrayed, This hapless maid Sobs out her grief and fear.

'Twas Peggy's fault the whole way through; The boy had meant no harm. Both ran away, Nor thought to stay Poor Sarah's fright to calm.



A handsome soldier passing by, His heart quite free from guile, With martial air And manner rare Soon helped the girl to smile.

He said the Ball would now begin And begged her for a dance; She bowed so low, It looked as tho' Her style had come from France.



A lively waltz the couple take, While all admire their grace, As round and round Upon the ground They spin with quickened pace.

And shameless Peg' sits on a chair A true "flower of the wall" While Sarah Jane, Tis very plain, Need never rest at all.



With graceful compliment the Clown Bows low before the belle, Whose modest face, And simple grace, In starry robe looked well.

"I know I'm but a stupid Clown, And play a clumsy role; Yet underneath This painted sheath I wear an ardent Soul."



Just then a jovial African With large admiring eyes, Seizes her hand Just as the band To give them a surprise

Strikes up the "Barn-dance"; like a flash Both spring into their place! Away they go First quick, then slow, Each movement fraught with grace.



The jolly pair then pause to watch A "Magnate" from Japan, Who quite alone So far from home (Poor harmless little man)

Dances a curious Eastern dance To many a jingling bell; His brilliant dress, They both confess, Becomes him very well.



And now the Ball is at its height, A madly whirling throng; Each merry pair A smile doth wear. And Sambo sings a song.

While in their midst the artist head Of "Golliwogg" appears, With Peg beside, Whose graceful stride No criticism fears.



But even wooden limbs get tired And want a chance of play, So "Golliwogg" A "jolly dog" Suggests they run away.

The big shop door is bolted fast, But through the yard behind, Peggy has spied One open wide, Which she will shortly find.



A touch—A push—and out they fly Into the starlight night; No one must know The way they go They cover up their flight.

And though their laughing faces tell How they enjoy the fun, No sound they make, But quickly take Unto their heels and run.



Nor stop until they reach a field, And find a lovely slide; No fear has Peg, But Meg and Weg Cling screaming as they glide.

The "Golliwogg" with flying hair, Takes the first lead you see, Nor minds at all The "Midget" small, Her arms outstretched in glee.



The sliders never dreamed of harm, They sailed like ships at sea; 'Twas Meg and Weg, Who Tripped up Peg, And brought to grief their spree.

The wrong man often gets the blame 'Twas just so in this case, And balls of snow They madly throw At "Golliwogg's" kind face.



He catches one in either eye, And then turns tail to run; The steady aim Of Sarah Jane Grows very serious fun.

He does not like the way girls act, For five to one's not fair; There's no escape One hits his nape, Another strikes his hair.



"Vengeance!" he cries, "I'll pay them out! If girls will play with boys, There's got be Equality, So here's for equipoise!"

And then some monster balls he makes, He does not spare the snow And as each back Receives a whack, Like ninepins down they go.

In life we have our "ups" and "downs", These dolls enjoyed the same; Though down went Weg, Don't think, I beg, 'Twas due to Sarah Jane.

You see the sled was pretty full, The hill was rather steep; Weg was to steer But in her fear She took a backward leap.



Anon all reached the valley safe, And skating longed to try; The ice seemed good, As each one stood Upon the bank hard by.

While "Golliwogg" with cautious steps, Toward the middle skates; They hear a crack! They cry, "come back To your devoted mates!"



Too late! alas their call is vain! He swiftly disappears! His kind forethought Is dearly bought, It melts them unto tears.

But sturdy Peg is quick to act, She gives an order clear, "Creep on your knees, And by degrees We to the hole will steer."



They reach in time, Peg drags him out With all her might and main; Poor "Golliwogg", A dripping log, Must be got home again.

Behold sure signs of early dawn, As down the field they start; A leaden weight, This living freight, With faintly beating heart.



In half an hour the sun comes up, And shows a merry face; He winks an eye As passing by He sees the skating place.

And when he peeps into the shop With jolly laughing eye, Tho' he's not blind He cannot find A single toy awry!

THE END