A Plea to the Summer Girl

You’re a little, laughing peach,

     Summer girl;

You’re the only on the beach,

     Summer girl.

You can rule the mighty ocean,

You’re a dream of grace and motion,

To abduct you I’ve a notion,

     Summer girl.

You’re the swellest of the swell,

     Summer girl;

Bathing costumes fit you well,

     Summer girl;

You’re a necessary pleasure,

I adore you without measure,

For you bring me bits of treasure,

     Summer girl.

O, I hope you’ve come to stay,

     Summer girl;

For you’ve added to my pay,

     Summer girl.

Of your smiles and manners sunny

I have written verses funny –

That is how I earn my money,

     Summer girl.

May 21, ‘99

Joker for May, ‘99

(actually in the June, 1899 edition of Little Joker)