Quite
often when someone moves to an older home there are treasures to
be found in the attic, cellar or even the garage. These usually
consist of school papers, professional papers, pictures and even
diaries and notebooks. DON'T THROW SUCH THINGS AWAY! At least not
until you have checked with the Historical Society to see if your
find is something they would like to preserve. Recently one such
collection of diaries, letters and small advertising notebooks were
donated to the Society. The following "poem" came from
a little advertisement notebook entitled "Mrs. Riley's Evening
Party". Dated 1895 and not a priceless thing, but lots of fun
to read.
Mrs.
Riley gave a party to her friends the other day,
And
her guests were gay and hearty, for she made a great display.
Every
male and female sinner who attended at her call,
Had
a most delightful dinner and it pleased them one and all.
But
at first poor Mrs. Wiley said she had no appetite,
And
appealed to Mrs. Riley, who with promptness set her right.
She
produced a little bottle, made a dose of fizzing stuff,
Which
her guest poured down her and got appetite enough!
There
was eating, there was drinking, of the best in every kind,
There
was even food for thinking, for the most reflective mind.
But
the arful Mrs. Riley, to relieve a mental strain,
Had
provided, very slyly, Bromo-Seltzer for the brain.
Mr.
Flanagan, the plumber, went there in his Sunday clothes,
And
O'Hooligan, the drummer, full of travelers' great woes.
He
informed his hostess shyly that his journey made him sick,
So
he got from, Mrs. Riley, Bromo-Seltzer very quick!
There
were ladies old and youthful, there were maidens grave and gay,
Some
were false and some were truthful in the things they had to say.
Some
were strong and some were weakly, some with nervousness were curst,
Some
protested very meekly, that their heads would surely burst.
Mrs.
Riley, clever woman, was at hand to see to these,
All
the nervous ailments human, she could guarantee to ease.
Pain
of long or short enduring she declared that she could save,
And
she speedily was curing when she Bromo-Seltzer gave.
When
the floor was cleared for dancing and the music sweet began,
In
the mazy whirl entrancing went the maid and her young man.
While
the band played they were busy, when it stopped, they took a seat,
And
the head of each was dizzy so they scarce could keep their feet!
Here,
again, was Mrs. Riley, ready to relieve her guests,
To
the dancers she said, dryly, "Here's what
dizziness arrests!
If
the giddy whirl you've felt, sir, if your head is swimming, miss,
One
small dose of Bromo-Seltzer, brings you back your peaceful bliss.
Time
flew on, and the guests grew frisky, passing 'round the song and
joke,
Also,
demijohns of whiskey,
and cigars for men to smoke.
Every
visitor that night meant to of pleasure have their fill,
Even
if the
great excitement in the end should make them ill!
One
young girl, respected highly for her beauty, sense and grace,
Whispered
unto Mrs. Riley, she'd neuralgia in the face.
Promptly
then from it to free her, the old lady once again
Introduced
her panacea- -Bromo-Seltzer, foe to pain.
To
her guests, ere they departed, Mrs. Riley wisely said,
"Dawn
perhaps will find you started with a most collossal head!
But
you'll check it very quickly and relieve it from all ache,
Nor
know aught of feeling sickly, if you Bromo-Seltzer take!"
|
