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Poem
May 14, 1855
Daily Davenport Gazette
Davenport, Scott County, Iowa
What is this article about?
A narrative poem recounting the surprise nighttime delivery of a white kitten named Milly in a flower-adorned basket to the speaker's home in Davenport, transforming initial fear into joy and gratitude toward the anonymous donor.
Clipping
OCR Quality
95%
Excellent
Full Text
For the Gazette,
Our Kitty "Milly,"
Our Milly came at nine last night,
And fairly took us by surprise;
I'd fastened doors and shutters tight,
And thus should soon have shut my eyes.
But, what a rap upon the door!
I quickly sprung to know my doom,
No man was there! surprised the more,
I saw in darkness something loom.
'Twas white, not large; I ventured near,
A fairy sight my eyes descried,
'Twas basket formed, and flowers dear
Seemed peeping out from every side.
An arch above, (the basket's bail.)
And all around the basket's side.
The festooned tissue pearly pale,
Made grace and beauty there abide.
Whence could it be? and why? I said
"I'll know"; and found within a prize;
A muslin covered something laid
Secure and plain before my eyes.
My eager hand approached the prize,
But quick withdrew as I beheld,
(As if some evil in disguise)
A moving thing beneath it veiled.
Some plot was here-some creature dire,
Like hatred hid beneath a smile,-
Released from bondage, like pent fire.
'Twould prove its power, consume the pile!
By slow degrees my courage came,
I searched the bundle and it proved,
A kitten in a bag; her name
Was "Milly"-all my fears removed.
She tells us not from whence she came,
Her soft fur coat is showy white,
We thank the donor; keep the name
Of swan-like kitty: "Milly"-Goodnight,
Davenport, May 10th.
MOUSER.
Our Kitty "Milly,"
Our Milly came at nine last night,
And fairly took us by surprise;
I'd fastened doors and shutters tight,
And thus should soon have shut my eyes.
But, what a rap upon the door!
I quickly sprung to know my doom,
No man was there! surprised the more,
I saw in darkness something loom.
'Twas white, not large; I ventured near,
A fairy sight my eyes descried,
'Twas basket formed, and flowers dear
Seemed peeping out from every side.
An arch above, (the basket's bail.)
And all around the basket's side.
The festooned tissue pearly pale,
Made grace and beauty there abide.
Whence could it be? and why? I said
"I'll know"; and found within a prize;
A muslin covered something laid
Secure and plain before my eyes.
My eager hand approached the prize,
But quick withdrew as I beheld,
(As if some evil in disguise)
A moving thing beneath it veiled.
Some plot was here-some creature dire,
Like hatred hid beneath a smile,-
Released from bondage, like pent fire.
'Twould prove its power, consume the pile!
By slow degrees my courage came,
I searched the bundle and it proved,
A kitten in a bag; her name
Was "Milly"-all my fears removed.
She tells us not from whence she came,
Her soft fur coat is showy white,
We thank the donor; keep the name
Of swan-like kitty: "Milly"-Goodnight,
Davenport, May 10th.
MOUSER.
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
What themes does it cover?
Friendship
What keywords are associated?
Kitten Milly
Surprise Delivery
Basket Gift
Davenport
Mouser
White Kitty
What entities or persons were involved?
Mouser.
Poem Details
Title
Our Kitty "Milly,"
Author
Mouser.
Subject
Surprise Gift Of A Kitten
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
Our Milly Came At Nine Last Night,
And Fairly Took Us By Surprise;
A Kitten In A Bag; Her Name
Was "Milly" All My Fears Removed.
We Thank The Donor; Keep The Name
Of Swan Like Kitty: "Milly" Goodnight,