Volume 6 — THE FAT GENTLEMAN'S STORY.

I'm in love with Neighbor Nelly, Though I know she's only ten; While I am five and forty, And the married-est of men. I've a wife as fat as butter, And a baby—such a boy! With the plumpest cheeks and shoulders, Who's his father's dearest joy. Though a Square toes and a Buffer, Still I've sunshine in my heart; Still I'm fond of tops and marbles Can appreciate a tart. I can love my Neighbor Nelly, Just as though I were a boy, And would hand her cakes and apples, From my depths of corduroy. She is tall, and growing taller; She is vigorous of limb; (You should see her playing soldiers With her little brother Jim!) She has eyes as blue as damsons; She has pounds of auburn curls; She regrets the game of leapfrog Is prohibited to girls. I adore my Neighbor Nelly, I invite her in to tea, And I let her nurse the baby Her delightful ways to see. Such a darling bud of woman! Yet remote from any teens; I have learnt from Neighbor Nelly What the girls' doll instinct means. Oh! to see her with the baby! (He adores her more than I); How she choruses his crowing, How she hushes every cry! How she loves to pit his dimples With her light forefinger deep; How she boasts, as one in triumph, When she gets him off to sleep! We must part, my Neighbor Nelly, For the summers quickly flee; And the middle-aged admirer Must, too soon, supplanted be. Yet, as jealous as a mother, A suspicious, cankered churl, I look vainly for the setting, To be worthy such a pearl!