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.

[Illustration]

  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.

[Illustration]

  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.

[Illustration]

  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.

[Illustration]

[Illustration]

  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.

[Illustration]

  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.

[Illustration]

  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.

[Illustration]

  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.

[Illustration]

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