Little Egypt Heritage Articles Stories of Southern Illinois (c) Bill Oliver 12 October 2003 Vol 2 Issue: #36 ISBN: pending Good Evening Ladies and Gentlemen of Little Egypt, Yesterday, out in Southern Illinois, at John Logan College, the Central Illinois Genealogical Society held their annual conference and book fair. Some of my cousins were there and I wanted to be there also. Other activities prevented this, so I moped and pined and cleaned out the garage [prep for winter storing of a car] and cut a rug to fit a room. Chores like these are too much like work and the mind needs diversion ... causing thoughts to wander. And, wander they did ... remembering family and friends of yesteryear. This led to remembrances of the rhymes we chanted or wrote in our autograph books and high school yearbooks. A firm belief of mine is that there shall be no collecting of antiques unless they can be used. Thus, there are few in my home. However, I do have collections ... some are antiques ... Grandpa's railroad watch; cup and saucer from the Bermuda Governor's Mansion; glass china cabinet; Eagle claw table; and sayings from autograph books. "And when long circling years have rolled away and friends departed who are here today, when those whose names this treasured book contains are widely scatter'd o'er earths distant plains, then shall thy mind each former scene unfold and with those friends, a sweet communion hold" --May 12, 1879, Wm H Krippendorf, source unknown Autograph books come fancy and plain. Old 19th Century ones are often velvet covered and gold embossed. In those autograph books the penmanship is absolutely beautiful. Calligraphy is what I would call it. My Great Uncle Lando and his siblings had beautiful handwriting. All those swirls and loops and every letter precise. Grandma Oliver's autograph pages had beautiful little poems and sayings ... in a quaint language from a bygone era. "When joy and gladness fill the heart, when care and sorrow both depart, when all around is mirth and glee, then Dear Carrie, think of me." And, "It would be my wish dear Carrie, through thy way in life, peace and happiness, might be on thee, ever shining, but if that wish be too great, then may this be granted, that every cloud that threatens thee, may have a silver lining." The poetry was great: "Carrie said with smiling look, Lizzie write something in my book. I will comply to your request, and thus by me you are addressed. I wish you happiness and peace, as years roll on, and months increase. And when you reach the distant shore, may you be blessed forevermore." "Like sunshine on a flower, may your path ever be, and may each future hour bring happiness to thee." "Forget me not forget me never, Til yonder sun shall set forever. Forget me not forget me never, And I will be your friend forever." If scribbling in books, Remembrance secures, With the greatest of pleasures, I'll scribble in yours." "I have your album in wich to write Have turned to a page all blank and white On dipping my pen into ink I knit my brows, and try to think. I thought, and thought, and thought in vain And then I concluded to write my name." Sixty years ago the rhymes of my youth were a bit more spirited, sassy even: "Andy Pandy, Mother Goose, I was born, what's your excuse?" "When you get married And live upstairs, Don't come down And borrow my chairs." May your path be strewn With roses, And your kids all have Pug noses." Two liners conveying advice were popular: "When you get married and have twins, Don't come to me for safety pins." "May your life be like a fried egg, ... sunnyside up!" "Do not meddle in the affairs of dragons, for thou are crunchy and taste good with ketchup." "Always do right. This will gratify many, and astonish the rest." "When you get old, And think you are sweet, Take off your shoes, And smell your feet." There were all sorts of variations on the "Roses are red, ..." verses. The first two lines were always the same, but the last two lines were anything from complimentary to things as unflattering as the imagination could conger. "Roses are red, Violets are blue, You like Sue, So phooey to you." "Roses are red, Violets are blue, I know a donkey, That looks like you." "Roses are red, Violets are blue, Rain on the tin roof, Reminds me of you ... Drip, drip, drip." "Roses are red, Violets are blue, I got rid of my dog ‘cause he looked like you." We were not without sentiment, we just didn't like to show it. We had our better moments: "Yours til' Niagara Falls." May your future be as right as Edison's electric light." "Friends there are of two types, Those I can do without, and you." A couple of years ago I used the following quote: I end this article with one just for you, dear reader ... "A friend like you is just my cup of tea!" Enjoy Columbus Day tomorrow! Courthouses are closed. e-la-di-e-das-di ha-wi nv-wa-do-hi-ya nv-wa-to-hi-ya-da. (May you walk in peace and harmony) Wado, Bill -=- Other sites worth visiting: http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/SOIL http://archiver.rootsweb.com/th/index/ILMASSAC http://www.usgennet.org/usa/ne/state/BillsArticles/LittleEgypt/intro.html