A Winter Idyl. 339
Since ancient time has mankind felt the need
Of precious metals, and of jewels rare, To please the eye — their vanity to feed —
To fasten garment or adorn the hair. The ancient Hebrews, when they left the land
Of the Egyptians, — so narrates The Book, — A wholesale, sweeping robbery had planned.
And all the jewels of their neighbors took. Since then have jewels been in great demand
Wherever on the records we may look. Great potentates, their royal lives to save, Crown jewels as a ransom freely gave. A jewel as a gift was held to prove The strength of friendship and the force of love. All persons now prize jewels very high
As gift to bride, as present to a friend ; And all would know where they can safely buy,
And get good wares, — the cheapest in the end. From distances afar it pays to go, By railway, horse-cars, or by carriage slow. To R. H. Ayer's, and see his watches fine ; The stock of goods he carries in the line Of ornaments, of jewels bright and rare, Of solid silver, and of plated ware ; The statuettes of bronze the finest sold. And rings of purest California gold. The spotless pearl which ladies wish to own.
The diamond " of purest ray serene ; " The garnet, emerald, and every stone
To dress a maiden or adorn a queen. Eye-glasses, spectacles, soft feathery fans.
And Parian marble goods he keeps in stock, And jewelry and plate of latest plans,
Gold-headed canes, and every kind of clock. It is a pleasure just to view his store.
And see the products of our modern art. You long to enter, hate to leave, his door ;
From things of beauty one is loath to part. And in his j)lace of business you will be Treated politely and with courtesy. Dick Ayer, as he is known among his friends.
Is fair in dealing, honorable in trade ; Straightforward, truthful, to no fraud descends —
An honest man, if one was ever made.
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