Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 36, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 2 August 1916 — LEAP YEAR [ARTICLE]

LEAP YEAR

(By, Walt Mason.) “Oh, come with me and be my beau,’’ the spinster whispered, soft and low. “Why do you smile at giddy girls, with pearly teeth and sunny curls, whose only asset is their looks, while r am learned, in life and books? Oh, I can cook, and I can sew, so come with me and be my beau. What though in years I’m getting on? The foolishness of youth is gone; experience has taught me much, with useful arts I am in touch, and I can make of home a nest where weary men might gladly rest, and I can ornament, you bet, the parlor or the kitchenette, and I can wash and knead the dough, so come with me and be my beau. 1 play the harp and violin, I carve on wood and hammer on tin, and I can talk of books and art; I’ve always been considered smart; with my own hands I made this gown, which is the smoothest thing in town; there’s very little I don’t know; then come with me and be my beau." The in vitation was in vain, for no young man is safe and sang. He rounded up a girl to wed who couldn’t bake a loaf of bread, or sew or cook or do a thing but look like flowers that bloom in spring.