Letter from John Beverly to "Wife Beverly"
A poem written by John Beverly as follows:
Transcript: "As I was going the down the walk, So pleasant cool and shady,<br>
Right in the middle of the path I met a little lady.<br>
I made to her my sweetest bow,<br>
She only walked on faster.<br>
I smiled and said 'good morning ma’am' the moment that I passed her.<br>
She never noticed me at all, already quite slighted:<br>
I thought I’ll follow you I will altho I’m not invited.<br>
Perhaps you think me very rude but then she looked so funny.<br>
From head to feet all dressed in fur. This summer day so sunny.<br>
She didn’t mind the heat at all, but wrapped the the [sic] fur around her,<br>
and hurried on as if to say I’ll tend to my own<br>
[Page 2] whole way home.<br>
Her home was in my garden.<br>
Beneath my choicest vines, and yet, she never asked my pardon.<br>
I never heard her speak a word.<br>
but once I heard a miller [?]ing down the sidewake [sic] say<br>
There goes Miss Caterpillar<br>
To [Wife] Beverly<br>
March 24, 1852"