Daddy gave me a penny, I kissed and hugged him good.

I hurried off to my secret place like Daddy knew I would.

That penny I did add to my private, secret box.

I peeked about, back and forth, sly like a fox.

I had saved a heap of money, maybe a dollar or more.

I kept it in a matchbox in my  underwear drawer.

I'd seen a dress in a book, pretty as could be.

Mamma would look good in that, I couldn't wait to see.

Mamma didn't have a pretty dress that she could wear to town.

And she was such a good Mamma, hardly ever sitting down.

The man in the store said it'd take a while, so I wanted to act fast.

I said, 'Daddy will you help me, I'll get the dress at last.

Daddy took me on his lap and he looked sad at me.

He said 'Honey You don't have enough yet' I hope that you can see.

But your Grandma could make your Mamma a dress pretty as can be

It'd look just like the one in the book that you have shown to me.

The money that you have would surely be enough,

To buy pretty cloth, needles, thread and such.

So that is just the thing we did, and Mamma was tickled pink

She sure did look beautiful, That's what me and Daddy think.

Clydene Thomas Overbey

© 2005