On this rainy day with nothing to do I am rummaging through my treasure chest.
    I found four autograph albums. One belonged to my late husband's aunt. Autographs signed in it are from 1883 to 1891. One was signed J. P. Jones, Medicine Lodge, Kansas, 2-7-84. He wrote, "A woman's love is a woman's life, A thing apart 'tis man's whole existence."
    Barbara Varner, of Wellington, Missouri, wrote this verse, dated 9-12-85: "Always be amicable, no matter how much your temper may be tried. Good humor is the best kind of beauty."
    Some verses are written in French and some in shorthand.
    On the lighter side and many years later, were these verses: "Some may tell you I'm not true, some may say I don't love you. Remember this, little darling, no one loves you like I do!"
    "Columbus discovered America in 1492, but I made the biggest discovery when I met you."
    It's so nice to read those verses, written by old school mates and friends, many of whom have passed on to a better land. As the years roll by, in the march of time, each little thought and each little line that is written now will also be a part of my treasure chest.
    I know many of you remember the songs of some 50 years ago. The old train songs like "The Wabash Cannon Ball," "Casey Jones," and others. The folk songs, "Fannie Moore," "Pretty Sara," "Two Letters," "Wildwood Flower" and many others I could name.
    And we would not forget the old hymns, some which are still sung today. How they thrill me! Especially do I like "Sweeping Through the Gates." It holds many precious memories for me.
    Oh, to be a child again as I sometimes long to be! But time and tide wait for no man.
    "As for man, his days are as grass; as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more." Psalms 103, verses 15 and 16.

Mellie Peery
June 6, 1967