On March 12, 1897, Leila Ruth Young was born in Massachusetts. She was the subject of Paul Laurence Dunbar's dialect poem "Little Brown Baby," and the niece of Alice Ruth Moore, Paul's fiancée.
12 - Leila Ruth, to James R. and Mary Leila Young.
Unidentified newspaper clipping [Medford Mercury (Medford, Massachusetts). March 1897.]. Scrapbook No. 1, Page 22. Alice Dunbar-Nelson papers, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library (Newark, Delaware). MSS 0113, Box 12, F230 - 232.
Paul was in England at the time, so he was unaware of the baby's birth date or gender. He sent "Little Brown Baby" to Alice's sister Leila, along with an inscription to the baby at the beginning of the poem, and another at the end for the mother. He also mentioned the poem in a letter to Alice.
The best and tenderest bit of verse that I have done since I came here is a little lullaby called "Little Brown Baby with Sparkling Eyes."
Paul Laurence Dunbar to Alice Ruth Moore, March 26, 1897. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 5).
To Leila Ruth Young, by her loving Uncle Paul, written by him in London, England, March 1897, the day after Leila's birth.
Little brown baby wif spa'klin' eyes,
Come to yo' pappy an' set on his knee.
What you been doin', suh - makin' san' pies?
Look at dat bib - you's ez du'ty ez me.
Look at dat mouf - dat's merlasses, I bet;
Come hyeah, Maria, an' wipe off his han's.
Bees gwine to ketch you an' eat you up yit,
Bein' so sticky an sweet - goodness lan's!Little brown baby wif spa'klin' eyes,
Who's pappy's darlin' an' who 's pappy's chile?
Who is it all de day nevah once tries
Fu' to be cross, er once loses dat smile?
Whah did you git dem teef? My, you 's a scamp!
Whah did dat dimple come f'om in yo' chin?
Pappy do' know you - I b'lieves you's a tramp;
Mammy, dis hyeah's some ol' straggler got in!Let's th'ow him outen de do' in de san',
We do' want stragglers a-layin' 'roun' hyeah;
Let's gin him 'way to de big buggah-man;
I know he's hidin' erroun' hyeah right neah.
Buggah-man, buggah-man, come in de do',
Hyeah's a bad boy you kin have fu' to eat.
Mammy an' pappy do' want him no mo',
Swaller him down f'om his haid to his feet!Dah, now, I t'ought dat you'd hug me up close.
Go back, ol' buggah, you sha'n't have dis boy.
He ain't no tramp, ner no straggler, of co'se;
He's pappy's pa'dner an' playmate an' joy.
Come to you' pallet now - go to yo' res;
Wisht you could allus know ease an' cleah skies;
Wisht you could stay jes' a chile on my breas' -
Little brown baby wif spa'klin' eyes!Dear Leila: As yet I do not know whether the newcomer be a boy or a girl, brown, black or yellow, but anyway, this poem is especially dedicated to the infant. Accept my congratulations.
Undated typescript. Paul Laurence Dunbar Papers, Ohio History Connection (Microfilm edition, Roll 6).
"Little Brown Baby" was later published in Paul's 1899 volume of poetry, Lyrics of the Hearthside. Alice's sister Leila was the president of a women's literary club in West Medford, Massachusetts. During one club meeting she read a biographical essay about Paul, and "Little Brown Baby" was recited for the group.
A few ladies met last Thursday evening to organize a literary and reading club. The name of the club is the "Progressive Club," and is well named, for the members are colored ladies of education and progressive ideas. The evenings for the next month or two will be devoted to the writings of colored authors. Paul Laurence Dunbar's poems and stories will be the topic for the next meeting.
"A New Club Organized." Unidentified newspaper clipping [Medford Mercury (Medford, Massachusetts). February 1900.]. Scrapbook No. 1, Page 98. Alice Dunbar-Nelson papers, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library (Newark, Delaware). MSS 0113, Box 12, F230 - 232.
The Colored Women's Progressive Club met last Friday evening at the residence of the president, Mrs. James Young. The president read an article on the life of Paul Laurence Dunbar, which was highly appreciated by all present. Miss Boyd then read a short selection from Paul Dunbar's poems, entitled "Little Brown Baby."
"Colored Women's Progressive Club." Unidentified newspaper clipping [Medford Mercury (Medford, Massachusetts). March 1900.]. Scrapbook No. 1, Page 99. Alice Dunbar-Nelson papers, Special Collections, University of Delaware Library (Newark, Delaware). MSS 0113, Box 12, F230 - 232.