Forget me not

Back before there were photographic school yearbooks, it was not uncommon for young people to have autograph books. They were small notebooks with hard covers that were small enough to fit in one’s pocket. Recently, I found two of them from ancestors of my mother’s father and these are some of the inscriptions I found within. 
The first is from circa 1879-80.

To Eddie:

Within this book I find expressed

The thoughts of many a human breast

And wishes too, the most sincere,

To greet the eye and please the ear.

Another friend her wish will add

And this her wish would be,

May you be free from moments sad

And happy through eternity.

(Minnie Smith)                                                                       

Most of the Shadows which

cross our path are caused

by standing in our own

Light.

           (Jim Hogan, ’79)                                                             

Faith will conquer, persevere,

Even labor with good cheer,

Do not turn for things absurd,

Mind the things in God’s own word;

Use the means at your command,

Near to Jesus take your stand;

Dare to do what he requires;

 

Practice that which he inspires;

Into all his will resign;

Every act with faith confine;

Ready be, and true till death-

Each shall overcome by faith.

April 24, 1880.                                                                                  

Eddie,

When days are dark and

friends are few,

Remember me

and I will you.

Ritie Felix Kent,

June 1, 1879                                                                              

You asked me to write in your album

But I scarcely know where to begin

For there’s nothing original in me

Excepting original sin.

When in looking these pages over

My name you happen to see

Remember the writer kindly

And always think of me.

Alex S.P. Jenning, july 3, ’79.                                                               

When you with gay friends do join,

Don’t waste a single thought on me.

But when you join the happy throng,

Just say one word for me.

Mrs. SJ Jacobus, 1883.                                                                        

They are never alone that are

accompanied with noble thoughts.

Lillie Pier, Newark, NJ. July 24, 1879.                                               

Eddie,

Your Album is a garden spot,

Where I will plant Forget-me-not.

A.J.V., Newark, New jersey, Aug. 1880                                                               

May you live long,

May you live happy,

And get a wife,

That’s never snappy.

W.J. Kanick, Feb. 9, 1879.

 

[Rufus: The next ones belong to Inez Elizabeth Pierre, who received her Autograph book for Christmas, 1920.]

Dear Inez,

When the golden sun is sinking and your mind from care is free, When a thousand things your thinking, Will you sometimes think of me?

With love, Cousin Ruth, Jan. 20, 1921                                                                                       

Dear Inez,

May you never feel the color of this page. [Blue]

Your friend, Margaret Duchame.                                                                                                        

Fruit is soft as soon as ripened.

Love and kisses soon grow cold.

Young man’s vows are soon forgotten.

Look out Inez, don’t get sold.

Your loving cousin,

Alma Collerd                                                                                                                                                                                                  

Dearest Daughter,

As the Ripples of the waves

Follow the sea

May God’s blessings

Follow Thee

Your Loving

Mother.                                                     

Dear Inez,

He who has a thousand friends

has not one to spare

and he who has one enemy

will meet him every where.

your friend,

Dorothy___________________________

Dear Inez,

Little beams of moon shine,

Little hugs and kisses,

Makes a little maiden

Change her name to “Mrs.”

Your friend, Isabel, January 2, 1921.______________

Dear inez,

I like vinegar, you like ale

I am sold, and your (sic) for sale.

Your friend,

Hazel E. Kerris, Jan. 30, 1921, Pine Brook, N.J._______

Dear Inez,

In the golden chain of friendship

Regard me as a link.

Sincerely, Marion Ellis                                                                   

Dear Inez,

Northern girls are pretty

Western girls are fair

Southern girls are sweetest,

but none with you compare.

Sincerely, Ethel Martin                                                                  

To Inez,

If I should write forget-me-not

I know you would not care,

So i’ll just turn my motto around

Forget me if you dare.

Antoinette Stelts                                               

Dear Inez,

In the pathway of life

You will need an umbrella

May yours be upheld

By some young fellow.

Josephine Heft, Mar.28,1921.                                

To Inez,

May he who clothes the lilies

And makes the shadows fall

Guide and keep you always

And bless you thru it all.

Sincerely, Margie Utmane,                                                               

Dear Inez,

All the wisdom in the world

is contained in the two words

“Wait and Hope.”

A.J.K.                                                                                        

To Inez,

Know many, trust few,

And always paddle your own canoe.

Wm. Lloyd Keris, Jan. 14, 1921                                           

To Inez,

In sailing down the stream of

life, in a birch canoe

May you have a pleasant journey

And room enough for two.

Your friend, Zelda Manning, Jan. 28, 1921.                                      

Dear Inez,

Hair was made to frizz and curl

Cheeks were made to blush

Eyes were made to wink at boys

And lips were made- oh! hush.

Your friend, Hilda Shanks, Feb. 27, 1921                                       

Dear Inez,

If you want to be blest

With heavenly joys,

Think more of the Lord,

And less of the boys.

Your friend, Clarence Thomkins                                                  

Dear Inez,

May you always glide

On the wheels of time

Like a bobbed-tail chicken

On a watermelon rind.

Your friend,

Minnie Kerris.                                                                              

To Inez,

May you in life remain the same,

Unchanged in all, except your name.

Your friend,

Marion Schaller                                                                

To Inez,

Way back here out of sight,

I write my name but just for spite.

Virginia Horman,