WILLING TO TRADE

The doctor brung a baby up to our house last week —

A little bit of thing it is — but my! it's gotta squeak!

It makes a noise that's twice as big as you expect to hear,

And then ma says, “Go right away — you must n't tease him, dear!”

She seems to like it more than me —

But I ai n't jealous, no, siree!

I told the boys, and Billy Black, he says, “Well, that is nice,

But I would rather have my dog — they're worth more at the price,

For pa says babies cost a lot to feed and dress and train,

And Rover, he is smart, he is, and gotter splendid brain!”

I kinder feel that very way —

But ma says baby's come to stay.

Frank Brown has got a billygoat that pulls him on his sled,

And Kenneth's got a ponycart; but pa looked cross and said

I must n't talk so foolish when I asked him if I might

Go trade our baby for a pony or a goat, last night.

I s'pose he knew nobody'd trade

A goat for any baby made!

I would n't mind it, I believe, if any boy I knew

Would envy me for what we've got, but that's what they wo n't do!