FAMILY HISTORY: POETRY Collection written by Elsie Strawn ARMSTRONG
  
  File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Les Howard Strawn
  
  Copyright 2006.  All rights reserved.
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm
  http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/somerset/
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          DECEMBER 24, 1860
  
  Twenty-fourth day of December,
      The weather very cold,
  And I am all-alone
      And seventy-one years old.
  
  And I am almost blind
      And my eyes are very sore,
  Seventy-one years old
      And exactly one month more.
  
  These cold December mornings,
      Am starting my fire,
  I am weak and feeble,
      And would much rather hire.
  
  
          DECEMBER 29th
  
  But now my prospect's changed,
      A family has come in,
  Helpful, kind and pleasant
      Thus far to me have been.
  
  
          DECEMBER 31st
  
  The weather most terrific cold,
      But find myself in care,
  Attentive, kind and pleasant,
      Still to me they are.
  
  She still comes in and starts my fire,
      And friendly bakes my pies,
  She threads my needles, helps me on,
      And kindly picks my eyes.
  
  Her husband, he is gone,
      He went to see his mother,
  She has been very sick,
      Went with his younger brother.
  
  And she is here alone
      With her little son and daughter,
  Her son is large enough
      To bring her in some water.
  
  And she's a sweet young woman,
      Pleasant, bright and gay,
  You will not find a handsomer,
      In a long summer's day.