With bonnets made of braided straw
That tied beneath the chin—
The shawls laid neatly on the neck,
And fastened with a pin.
"I recollect the time when I
Rode father's horse to mill
Across the meadow, rock and field,
And up and down the hill;
And when the folks were out at work,
As sure as I'm a sinner,
I jumped upon a bare-backed horse,
And carried them their dinner.
"Dear me, young ladies now-a-days
Would almost faint away
To think of riding all alone
In wagon, chaise or sleigh;
And as for giving Ta' his meals
Or helping 'Ma' to bake,
Oh, saints! 'twould spoil their lily hands,
Though sometimes they make cake.
"When winter came the maiden's heart
Began to beat and flutter;
Each beau would take his sweetheart out
Sleigh-riding in a cutter.
Or, if the storm was bleak and cold,
The girls and beaux together
Would meet, and have most glorious fun
Regardless of the weather.
"But now, indeed, it grieves me much,
The circumstance to mention.
However kind the young man's heart
And honest his intention,
He never asks the girls to ride,
But such a war is waged,
And if he sees her once a week —
Why, surely 'they are engaged.'"
Mrs. Lyons is supposed to have been the author of this poem.
The following was Mr. Lyons' first editorial:
