FLUFFY RUFFLES Drawings by WALLACE MORGAN D. APPLETON AND COMPANY FLUFFY RUFFLES FLUFFY RUFFLES DRAWINGS BY WALLACE MORGAN VERSES BY CAROLYN WELLS D. APPLETON AND COMPANY NEW YORK l 9° 7 Copyright, 1907, by D. APPLETON AND COMPANY Copyright, 1907, by THE NEW YORK HERALD COMPANY CONTENTS INTRODUCING MISS FLUFFY RUFFLES. FLUFFY AS A FLORIST. FLUFFY AS A NURSE. FLUFFY TEACHES DANCING. FLUFFY TRAVELS AS A COMPANION. FLUFFY AS A WAITRESS. FLUFFY DECORATES A HOUSE. FLUFFY AS A “HELLO” GIRL. SEEING NEW YORK WITH FLUFFY RUFFLES FLUFFY TRIES HOUSEKEEPING. FLUFFY MAKES TEA. FLUFFY IN THE KINDERGARTEN. FLUFFY RUFFLES, MODISTE. FLUFFY SELLS SWEETS. FLUFFY AS A WINDOW-DRESSER. FLUFFY GOES INTO THE HONEY BUSINESS. FLUFFY, P.M. FLUFFY SELLS GLOVES. INTRODUCING MISS FLUFFY RUFFLES. The rich Miss Fluffy Ruffles had an awful shock one day, When she learned her splendid fortune was entirely swept away. But did she have hysterics, or throw a fainting fit ? No, plucky Fluffy Ruffles was not that sort a bit. She took her big hat from the box, her boa from the shelf, And said, “Ill find some way by which I can support myself.” She wrote no advertisement, but managed to engage Herself as you will see by turning the next page. She started out, and hopefully she thought, “I’ll surely find Some pleasant occupation just exactly to my mind;” When in a florist’s window this sign she read with glee, “A Salesgirl Wanted!” Fluffy thought, “Why, that’s the thing for I She entered rather timidly, and with a drooping eye She said, “You want a salesgirl, so I thought that I’d apply.” “Why, yes,” said the proprietor; then, with a puzzled stare He said, “I’d like to try you; Pray, take your place right there.’ And Fluffy hadn’t been there forty minutes by the clock Before the shop was crowded and still the men would flock; They fairly jammed the doorway, they clustered all about, And even when they’d bought their flowers they just would not go out. The florist was distracted, for very well he knew To have a girl like that around would never, never do; So he said, “My dear Miss Ruffles, I'm sorry — but I find You will not suit—ahem—you see”—Said Fluffy, “Never mind.” Fluffy Ruffles’ heart was hopeful, she never felt downcast, And cheerfully she thought: — “I’m sure I'll get some work at last. But nothing venture nothing gain; for better or for worse, I'll apply to Mrs. Vanderstein, who wants an infant's nurse.” When pretty Fluffy Ruffles had donned her nurse’s rig, She was a perfect picture, so tidy and so trig. Mrs. Vanderstein approved her, and sent her to the Park, To wheel the baby in his cab from three o’clock till dark. Poor Fluffy was embarrassed. She didn't like the game. The more she bade them stay away the more, of course, they came. She told the Baby’s mother and, to her great dismay, Mrs. Vanderstein discharged her. Fluffy smiled—and went away. The dancing school was started, and succeeded very well. Fluffy charged enormous prices to attract the very swell. She engaged a fine musician and a room of wide expanse, And cleverly she taught the young Four Hundred how to dance. There seemed to be no drawback to Fluffy’s latest plan Until she noticed something strange about the music man; He would neglect his playing to gaze at Fluffy’s face, And then he’d grow embarrassed, and then he’d lose his place. And then the biggest boys of all, with Chesterfieldian bow, Would beg to dance with Fluffy, in order to learn how; And then the other boys declared that they, too, wished to learn, And Fluffy spun around like mad, to give them each a turn. So down they came, these big young men, to join the dancing class, And Fluffy's heart sank as she thought, “This will not do, alas! I can't keep on at this rate;” so, as might have been supposed, She paid back their subscriptions—and the dancing school was closed. “I hope,” said Fluffy Ruffles, “I can find a place to-day Where 1 can earn my living in a quiet, pleasant way.” And sure enough, a chance there was, which seemed to be unflawed; Companion to a wealthy lady travelling abroad. When Mrs. B. and Fluffy sat down to chat or read Along would come some fellow in flannels or in tweed, And even in their stateroom, at most untimely hours, The stewardess was arriving with candies, fruit or flowers. Well, of course, the guests observed her in an interested way, And, although she tried to stop it, Fluffy's dimples came in play. If she passed the soup or salad or poured the sparkling wine All the guests just stared at Fluffy till they quite forgot to dine, Then the guests would haunt the dining room on this or that pretext. Till the mistress of the mansion really grew extremely vexed. She didn’t want a waitress with whom the men would flirt— Yet Fluffy was so capable, obliging and expert. “Now, let me see,” said Fluffy, “I’ve judgment and good taste; It doesn’t seem quite right to let those talents run to waste. Interior decoration is a wide and pleasant field. I think that I’ll attempt it, some profit it may yield.” So Fluffy called on ladies about to furnish homes, And learnedly discussed with them stained glass and Moorish domes. She recommended tapestries, and chandeliers ornate. And seemed to be authority on How to Decorate. / \~pli V V. V*/ M -= C£>^ Vr The ladies were delighted, they thought her plans were fine; They thought she was a wonder in the decorating line. And Mrs. Rich engaged her to do her house in town, And said, “Spend lots of money; 1 want it done up brown.” Miss Fluffy Ruffles was so pleased to have this order swell She put her whole heart in her work and tried to do it well. She directed skilful workmen with a supervision keen. And all went well till Cholly Rich appeared upon the scene. “I’ve come,” he said to Fluffy, “to see the work progress. And as I’m interested I’ll stay a while, I guess. I’m quite a connoisseur in art, and so when you’re in doubt Ask my advice, my little friend; I’ll gladly help you out.” Next afternoon he came again and brought a lot of men Who wanted to discuss the decorations of the Den. “I can’t work this way,” Fluffy thought. “It’s maddening, 1 declare! So she gave up her contract and went home in despair. So Fluffy took her place at her appointed telephone And soon achieved the regulation telephonic drone. And though the work was tedious, she said—“I do believe At last I'm lree from bothers, though small wages I receive." Of course it wasn't Fluffy's fault that, sitting at her desk, With a nickel-plated headband she was very picturesque. And when the young men saw her they were not to blame at all Because they'd wait her leisure to ask her for their call. But Fluffy was embarrassed; she didn't like to see A line of waiting customers when other desks were free. And though she hurried all she could it rattled her, she knew; And the more she blushed and flustered the prettier she grew. When Fluffy looked so haughty the men would go away. But through another telephone they’d call her up to say They hoped she would accept an invitation out to dine. “Oh, dear,” thought Fluffy in despair, “again I must resign.” So she gave up the telephone, for very well she knew ’Twas not the sort of work that she was qualified to do. She bade the manager goodby, she took her wages small. “But it does seem,” poor Fluffy thought, “there’s nothing left at all.” “My motor togs,” said Fluffy, “make a really good disguise. This shirred silk hood will shield me from all rude and prying eyes,” And so one lovely morning she stopped her car to wait At a certain busy corner where Cook’s tourists congregate. Then Fluffy Ruffles hopefully observed the passing throng. And soon a dear old lady with two nieces came along; They seemed to want to see New York, and pleasantly agreed To take the trip with Fluffy at a cautious rate of speed. Said Fluffy, smiling brightly, “It’s such a pleasant day 1 think that something very nice will surely come my way.” And, true enough, when Fluffy at the agency applied She was offered a position of a sort she’d never tried. Housekeeper in a wealthy home, with servants at command; Luxurious appointments, conveniently planned, And just the lightest duties and ample time to rest And Fluffy thought, “It’s very nice, I’ll try to do my best.” Then everything went smoothly till the gentlemanly son Came home to spend vacation when his college term was done. He took a genial interest in all about the place And he seemed to think that Fluffy had a very pretty face. And on the chance of catching a fleeting glimpse of her He'd sit around the house for hours and never even stir. He lingered near the pantry, he hung around the hall, And it drove poor Fluffy frantic, for she couldn't work at all. He looked at her so often and he looked at her so hard That it angered pretty Fluffy and put her on her guard. But the more she frowned and pouted the more entranced he grew; “Oh, deary me!” thought Fluffy, “1 shall have to leave here, too!” And so it happened once again poor Fluffy lost her place. The mistress of the mansion said, with anger in her face:— “You will not suit, Miss Ruffles, and you may leave to-day. “Ah, well,” thought pretty Fluffy, “I was going any way!’ The Tea Room was a great success; customers crowded in, And every day at five o’clock there was the usual din Of tinkling spoons and clinking cups and ladies’ charming chat; “How are you, love?” “Yes, I won ten.” “What an exquisite hat!” But somehow as the days went by the men began to think Of all concoctions in the world, tea was their favorite drink. So they flocked to Fluffy’s Tea Room, they monopolized the chairs, And when the lady guests arrived they greeted them with stares. Poor Fluffy was distracted and just a bit dismayed, For by her earnest effort she had built up quite a trade. But she couldn’t keep on that way, so she gave it up and sold The good will, stock and fixtures to Miss Olivia Old. FLUFFY IN THE KINDERGARTEN. ‘X So clever was her skill that her adjustment of a hat Would rejuvenate a matron who was old and gray and fat. She really could do wonders in a millinery way. And all went on delightfully,—until one fateful day! Now, this for once was well enough, but after that there came Each day a crowd of big young men on errands just the same! Said Fluffy:—“I can't run a millinery shop for men!” Despairingly she gave it up. Her plan had failed again! A smile appeared on Fluffy’s face, the frown cleared from her brow. “I think, she said, triumphantly, “I see my way clear now. I’ll have a candy kitchen! Unless 1 much misjudge, The public will be very glad to buy my walnut fudge.” Upon a fashionable street she rented a small store, Had “Candy Kitchen” painted in gilt letters on the door. She had it furnished daintily, in nickel and white tile; “For much depends,” Miss Ruffles said, “upon its tone and style.” They bought sweets for their lady friends; but when the box was weighed And wrapped and tied and paid for—they stayed and stayed and stayed; Till Fluffy grew indignant, and with a haughty air, She shut the shop, dismissed the girls and went home in despair! But Fluffy in the window made a picture fair and sweet, And of course it proved attractive to the people on the street; A crowd collected quickly, and lingered there to gaze At pretty little Fluffy and her pretty little ways. It soon was something awful, the crowds inside and out! The superintendent came to learn what it was all about. When he discovered Fluffy he only said, “Here, here! This sort of thing will never do! You are dismissed, my dear.” “Well, well,” said Fluffy Ruffles, “1 surely am surprised! My ignorance is dreadful! I always have surmised An apiary was a place where apes were born and bred; But I've discovered it's a place where bees are raised instead! So interested she became observing their strange lives, That people came from far and near to look at Fluffy's hives; She showed them off with honest pride, and with her cheeks aglow. She told her visitors the wondrous things she’d learned to know. The young men were enchanted, and though ’twas very wrong, They pushed the people right and left and elbowed through the throng; They upset all the beehives and spoiled the honeycomb; They simply seemed to own the place!—and Fluffy went back home. “ The duties of postmistress I can easily perform, And the mountains will be pleasant, now the weather is so warm. I’ll take my summer frocks and hats — I’ll need them, I expect; It's a swagger little settlement, exclusive and select.” So Fluffy went to Silver Fall, up in the mountains high; At the station no one met her, and she felt alone and shy. When a big young man stepped forward. “Can 1 help you, Miss?" said he. She blushed and smiled and dimpled. “I’m the postmistress,” said she. He came around next morning for his mail at half past nine, And found the Silver Fall young men all standing in a line! Though Fluffy at the window tried to make them move ahead They dawdled round the office with their letters all unread. Each day the same thing happened. All the men of Silver Fall Filled the office, and the ladies couldn't get inside at all. Poor Fluffy tried to stop it, but though she was not to blame. One day a big official letter to Miss Ruffles came. As Fluffy read it her sweet face grew very woebegone; “Miss Fluffy Ruffles,” it began, “Dear Madam,” it went on, “We are prepared your formal resignation to accept.” Fluffy wrote her resignation, then she went back home and wept. FLUFFY SELLS GLOVES. One day when Fluffy went to walk she chanced to see a shop Where a sign said, “Salesgirls Wanted;” she felt impelled to stop. She asked for a position. The manager said, “Y-e-s, We only have French employees—but you will do—I guess.” : . " ' .. She took her place among the rest, and soon she learned the trick Of fitting gloves correctly with motions deft and quick. She learned to flatter customers whose taste in gloves was bad, She learned to tell fat ladies what slender hands they had. As ladies’ gloves and children’s were the only kinds they sold, When Fluffy saw a man come in, she felt inclined to scold. She said with a forbidding air, “We don't keep gloves for men.” “I want them for my daughter,” he observed, “this miss of ten,” So Fluffy had to get them and fit them on the child, And then this sort of thing kept up and drove her nearly wild. The fathers brought their children—young men their sisters brought— And each one seemed to think their gloves of Fluffy must be bought. The manager was much perplexed. Though custom Fluffy drew, The other girls stood idly by, without a thing to do. He said, “Ahem!—Miss Ruffles—I'm sorry—but you see” — “Good morning,” Fluffy Ruffles said, “this place won't do for me."