The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-03-18
THE TwENTT-FIFTM BIETHDAx.

And so I'm almost an old maid 1t seems s,
strange to say;
And yet tits only too true, for I've turned
the first corner to-day
The years have been gay and happy, anC
have sped like tale that is told
And l'yo lived for quarter of century
why, II makes me feel frightfully old
Why did | never marryS 1t really SEEM
odd to me,
For Of all things an old maid is what ncvel
A cat and a CUP OF teal That sounds 70
markedly clever;
And my maiden name on my tombstone, Il
publish the fact forever
There was Phil, who went sailing sever
years ago TO sea;
From the time We wore bib-apronS he wal
always devoted to me;
When children We made mud pies, and wen
to school together,
And played hide-and-seek in the garrett In
seasons Of stormy weather.
But no grew tall and awkward, and not a
bit the kind
OF the noble, distinguished lover I'd always
had In my mind.
Not that he was bad-loOkiug, but he was so
matter-of fact;
His hands and feet were a nuisance, and he
hadn'ta bit of tact.
pV NHSh WY WHY Nhoh NC Nohb AWAY W
How we'll remember the night when he
babe RoOd-by TO me-
Twas at the garden gate, and the moonlight
was bri hit as day,
Turning the dewdrops to diamonds, as on
the flowers they lay.
The scene was lovely enough to move a cynic
But Phil was not sentimental; he talked of
his yOyage-and me;
And added, as awkwafdly as ever, as he
twirled his hat in his hand,
but can't take all of myself TO sea, for l
leave my heart on landl"
"such course fear you'll have reason
hereafter to greatly regret"
| said, as l stopped to gather handful Of
mignonette.
"Then before get back" he said at last,
you'll marry some other MANI
II think very hkelyi l answered, II GER
There was silence then for moment, save
the wash Of waves on the Shore,
Then he raised his hat and bowed. (Ho was
mover so graceful before
II wish you every happiness" he said, "as
well as the man,
Whoever be is, whom you've made up your
mind to marry-that is, If you can u
was angry, of cour ESQ provoking,-so
we parted very cOolly polite.
know | dim regret it, yet pail came
over the night.
But 10 show my Independence, as went to
the house | sung;
Well, no matter what's said to the contrary,
it's nice to be foolish and youngl
My next suito- was young Fitzgerald: he
was handsome enough, know;
Fine-lOokinR and fashionabiy dressed do
cidedly CONNIE WfdW;
But saw him push rudely lame girl, in a
crowd one day as We stood:
l was certain he wasn't the one / was going
to get If could
The next was old Judge Gray, my senior a
score Of years;
But he was worth a million OF more, so who
could have any tears2
l was somewhat da8zled, and maybe
couldn't have said him nay,
Had | not seen his reflection with mino in a
mll-length mirror one day.
So the Prince with the rightful slipper has
never come to this day;
Or can it be hays made, .. mi,take, that
he came and turned him away
l wish l had spoken more kindly TO Phil in
the long ago;
The toughest Of diamonds is richer than the
smOothest Of pebbles, know.
But perhaps / can bring some sunshine into
somebody's rainy day,
Which will-but who is that stranger, won
der, coming this way2
He is going, fear, TO invade my sanctum
under this tree;
How handsome and noble he is! wor der
who he can be
Deacon 0sgood2 lie lives quarter Of a
mile or more
From here, sir, in the house whore the honey
suckle is climbing over the door,
lam his daughttrl YES sir; but you have the
advantage still;
do not remember to have met you-unles,
1T is is-Phdi
How could have thought him awkward
IL really seems sOstrange-
But then | was young and foolish, and sever
years make such a change
/ We're talking nov Of voyage which w
have together p,snned;
! For he has told me he came 70 look after hi
heart, which he left on landi
q. l. Clip0Gn, N he Travellers Record