The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1922-12-22
YOUROLDAUTOCRAPH:
ALBUM AND VERSE
I'd. r. S. In Kansas City Starl

What! write in your album, for
critics to spy.
For the learned to laugh at?-No.
Thirty years ago the foregoing
couplet appeared in virtually every
autograph album that was passed
around among friends, despite the
implied refusal contained in the
lines. In fact a large quota of the
autographs" inscribed in the popu-
lar Friendship books of yore re.
lated in some way to the request for
the autograph. These lines and
verses varied in expressing what
appeared to be reluctant acquies-
cence, and in acknowledgment the
compliment with grateful apprecia-
ton. In this category frequently
were found the following inscrip-
tons:
l thought, thought, thought
in vain; at last / thought
would write my name. '
Remember, / say, when you
look on these pages, that writ
ing in albums is like working
for wages.
Some write for pleasure, some
write for fame, but / simply
write to sign my name.
Round went the album, hither
it came, for me to write in, so
here is my name. Il
My autograph tbs pleasure to
reflect, although the thought
may cost single sigh, that
what a banker would with scorn
reject, should have favor in the
scholars eye.
Your album is a golden spot,
in which to write forget me
not"
II scribbling in albums re-
membrance insures, with the
greatest Of pleasure I'll scribble :.
in yours.
Within this book, so pure and
white, let none but friends pre-
sumo to write; and may each
line with, friendship given d.
rect your heart to heaven.
I've looked these pages Ger
and DER to see what others .
wrote before. And here in this I
little, lonely spot I'll here in
scribe, forget me not"
Last in your album, and last
in your thought; last to be re-
membered; first to be forgot.
Humor, too, figured prominently
in the inscriptions found in the old
autograph albums, probably record
ed on. the spur Of the moment by
jolly friends and passing ac-
quaintances who lightly considered
the import of the friendship book
mission, or perhaps they believed
in the efficacy of the line. Laugh
and the world laughs with you"
which oftentimes appeared among
the autographs"
May your virtues ever shine
like blossoms on a pumpkin
vine. -
Be good and you'll be-eccen-
trio!
when this you see remember
me, and take little catnip tea.
Remember me when far a.
way, and only half awake; re-
member me on your wedding
day, and send a slice of cake.
When you are old and cannot
see, put on your specs and think
of me.
Love no man, not even your
brother; If girls must love, love
one another.
Kiss is a noun, both common
and proper, not very singular,
and agrees with you and me.
May the wings Of your happi-
ness never lose a feather.
Never trouble trouble till
trouble troubles you.
Remember the miss who
scrubbed this.
May you never change except
in name.
May your virtues ever spread,
like butter on hot ginger bread
Remember me, when far, far
on, where the woodchucks die
of whooping cough
Warning notes were sounded ever
and anon in the advice series, !"
some OF which were rather cryptic.
Youth and white paper take
any impression.
Whoever boasts of his great
ness proves his littleness.
Beware of the friend who
deals in flattery.
Do not bite off more than you
can chew.
Thirty years ago several auto
graph albums would be passed
around during the evening at viz
tually every play party" when
'postoffice," pillow" and "forfeits''
were popular games, hence 1t is
easy to account for some of the
sentimental and well nigh mushy
expressions and sugar coated verses
which were scrawlingly recorded on
many autographed pages.