A Year with Dolly
By Eudora S. Bumstead
Doctor Mama knows what to do
When girls and dollies are troubled;
With needle and thread and a bottle of glue
My Dolly’s strength she has doubled.
But she never can make her new and bright;
I’m almost ashamed to show her. –
If Santa Claus could see her to-night
I don’t suppose he would know her.
Mama has said if I learn to be
A careful, kind little mother,
He surely will notice the change in me,
And maybe he’ll bring me another;
But, dear little Dolly, you need not care
Nor be jealous one bit if I get her,
For tho’ you may never be quite so fair
I’ll only love you the better. 
Here is a black and white clip art version of the main illustration from the page.
I scanned the original poem from the December 1892 issue of St. Nicholas magazine.
Click on images to enlarge.
Linda Hughes says
December 21, 2015 at 10:35 amThis is very sweet, perfect to give to a doll collector. Thank-you!
Susan Elder says
December 21, 2015 at 10:39 amThis brought tears to my eyes. It reminded me of the time my china doll, Sweetie Pie, broke her leg in a fall from her buggy. I was heartbroken. She went to the doll hospital, but to this day, 65 hears later, she still bears the scar from that fall.
Thank you for the memories you bring to us.
Terry Palardy says
December 21, 2015 at 7:12 pmThese are always sweet pieces, and I would love to share them with my felliow quilters at my Quilters’ Quarters Facebook … if I have your permission? I love each one that you share with us! Thank you, and Merry Christmas!
Terry Crawford Palardy
Julie J says
December 24, 2015 at 1:20 pmLinda, I think a doll collector would enjoy this poem and the illustration!
Susan, thank you for sharing your precious Sweetie Pie china doll memory. It’s wonderful that you still have the doll after all these years!
Terry, you are welcome to share these pieces with your fellow Quilters’ Quarters members on Facebook.
Merry Christmas!
Julie
Cindy says
November 7, 2016 at 12:35 pmI feel so fortunate to have found your wonderful website today! Thank you so much for all the work you’ve put in; I’m like a kid in a candy shop among all these gorgeous images! I’ve got you pinned, subscribed to your mailing list and have favorited you on Etsy … where I will be shopping very soon! 🙂