Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1905-09-28
OLD ALEXIS RELICS

The following was written by iauy OF
Alexandria in reply to a poetic invitation
written on a postal card) extended her
to come to Long Island and enjoy the
gaieties of the resorts along there and to
disport upon the waves Of tine Atlantic
Dear Mrs. l..
Useless to tell, for well you know it,
Pm not, like you, gifted poet.
I've made a mistake, in my distress,
For should have said, poet-ess;
But my schooling was three leg d stool,
In consequence, was raised fool.
So, when, for you, jingle | make,
You will have to excuse each mistake.
Remember, Pm a rusty relic,
Living in the town of Old Aleck,
Another such will be seldom seen,
As most of our streets are grown with
green
Grass. which we find no trouble to raise
For the many who come here to gaze
Upon the curios we possess,
And some are Confed.some are U. 5.
One is Christ Church, of historic lore,
1t comes first, but we have many more,
And in that edifice you will see
The pews of Washington and Robt Lee.
The sounding board. over the pulpit,
Your eyes cannot fail to rest on it.
The centre piece, with its crystals clear?
Is the very same old chandelier
Which burnt its candles in Georges
day,
But to gas-lit-ones. it now gives way.
Then, there's the cushion in bis pew,
(And a secret, which give to you,)
Not one of the old buttons are there,
Nor does there remain single hair
OF those past times, CHERISHED and
olden,
For ev'ry one has long been stolen.
Yes, even now, visitors play their tricks
And carry of what they call "relics"
Ard frequently are heard to declare,
They're got a lock of the Wash-pew
hair.
Robbers OF the church are nothing new,
They steal from Robert E. Lees pew
too,
And like so many of the sneak thieves,
Go ladened away with ivy leaves,
Which know to be the solemn truth
Came from the Castle of Kenilworth.
Then, Aleck, has its lodge Masonic,
Another place, most historic.
The Bible, apron, of Washington,
For all who desire to look upon.
If you re not divorced, I'll tell you this,
Upon that Book you can press kiss,
And il you have never told lie,
You're invited Georges chair to try,
And. ifin your heart, you honest feel,
You may touch the key of the Bastile.
Next-In mem'ry of our sacred dead
Is the monument, we call "Confed"-
Erected to the Grey, who fell in fights,
Believing they were defending rights
The bravest men under the sun,
Not excepting Washington.
There's the Friendship engine, with its
bell,
And, also, the old City Hotel.
Then the Carlyle House, with its wall,
Are each Of great interest to all.
The Marshall, OF Jackson-Ellsworth
fame,
To me, looking pretty much the same
As it did in eighteen sixty'one,
The year in which that deed was done,
Another place, | must not forget,
From which is issu' old Aleck' s Gazette,
A paper on which you may depend,
Being just to both its foe and friend,
Relied upon by the whole nation.
And has been since in circulation.
The hospitality of this town,
Both far and near, is of great renown.
Even the old horse known its ways
And often upon our streets will Craze.
The snakes, too, every now and then
Creep along to tempt women and men
Chickens, dogs, cats of every kind
You'll be apt right here 20 find;
And last, not least, our police station,
Which tries to harbor ey'ry nationi
And it is claimed thing most hard
To catch the police of their guard.
Yet, by many, tbs called a "great treat
To find policeman on his beat.
From the above you'll II see know it,
zone must be born, not made, poet.
When in this town you again shall be,
Forget not your old friend, NJ. L. G.
P.S. You will see I've tried might
hard
To to make verses like came on you
card;
But, alas can ne'er stand in your rank:
Yet, anyhow, ! send you thanks;
Also fond love to each of you,
Which do believe is sincere and true.
Old Aleck, Va, August 5, 1908.
/
FOR SALE.-CHEAP.