Newspaper History presents media sourced from a United States newspaper dating back 108 years.

  • When the Little Feller Grins

    From the Rock Island Argus, April 19, 1915. By W. D. Nesbit.

    They ain’t much to a baby, till it gets to know yer face
    An’ pesters till you take it an’ hug it ‘round the place,
    An’ grapples at yer whiskers with pudgy-wudgy hands,
    An’ sez a lot o’ gurgles its mother understands.
    An’ the time a gran’dad’s gladness and tickledness begins
    Is when th’ little feller looks up at him an’ grins.

    His grin shows that he knows ye, and trusts ye as a friend—
    A baby isn’t growed up an’ never can pretend!—
    His eyes has honest twinkles an’ somehow you know they start
    From ‘way down in th’ goodness that’s beatin’ in his heart.
    It’s confidence he gives you without no outs and ins
    When he begins to dimple an’ looks at you an’ grins.

    They ain’t much to a baby, but in its grin you know
    You’re seein’ lots o’ sunshine you lost long, long ago;
    It makes you feel religious—a baby’s heart is clean
    An’ when it gives its favor it’s purpose isn’t mean—
    You think the Lord’s forgiven a hull lot o’ your sins
    When that fat little feller looks up at you an’ grins.