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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  I am in my seventy-fourth
      And traveled much alone,
  But never had a joint put out,
      Nor yet a broken bone.
  
  I coldest winter weather
      Myself I did expose,
  But hitherto have been preserved
      And never one night froze.
  
  I went through frost and snow
      And faced the northwest storm,
  When  business did demand it,
      Not often stopped to warm.
  
  My friends sometimes did chide me,
      For leaving of my fire,
  And said they'd not turn out today,
      No, not for any hire.
  
  I never stopped for rain or snow
      On the appointed day,
  But kept my business going
      By moving in that way.
  
  When it was rain or snow
      It seemed the best for me,
  I found the stores more clear,
      And the merchants I could see.
  
  If on a pleasant day,
      I chanced to go to town,
  I found the stores so full
      I scarce could get around.
  
  And Friday, that unlucky day,
      Seemed the best luck for me,
  I was most apt to find at home
      Those I did wish to see.
  
  I have often been exposed
      On horseback and vehicle,
  But have always been preserved,
      For which I would be thankful.
  
  "This true, I've been upset,
      From buggy, sleigh and sled,
  Likewise I've been turned over
      Out of the wagon's bed.
  
  But soon got right side up
      And never was much hurt.
  But made me think I'd better
      Keep more on the alert.
  
  And twice I fell down cellar,
      That was the worst of all,
  For it jarred me and it scared me,
      A taking such a fall.
  
  I have traveled every hour
      In all the twenty-four,
  Through the heat and rain and frost,
      And now my eyes are sore.
  
  I strove to dress accordingly
      So I might be going,
  For business often pressed me,
      I had something to be doing.
  
  I traveled most on horseback,
      The way I like to ride,
  And seldom did fall off
      Unless my horse fell on his side.
  
  Of rather sound material
      I surely must be made,
  Or I would not have escaped,
      I often thought and said.