Each member of the aid had, more or less
Her plans for future fame and usefulness.

Nan Willis thought she'd climb the hill of fame,
In "elocution" she would make her name,
But now as president of our little band,
Her aim's to have the best Aid in the land.

Miss Cecil Gordanier, in girlhood thought,
She'd some day be judge of the supreme court.
But now, she's lost her interest in law
And makes the best pie that you ever saw.

Miss Anna Nelson is one of the few
Who did just what she planned to do
She didn't care to write a book
Or paint a picture, she just loved to cook.

Miss Carrie Stahl was always rather lazy
She liked to sit around and take life easy.
But now, she's changed her habits so they say
And can husk corn, dig potatoes and make hay.

Miss Lizzie Roderick, in an earlier day,
Would mount her horse and gallop far away,
But now she's tired of riding and declared
Today, she wouldn't even mount a Ford.

Miss Dollie Ewing, once, when young and fair,
Said she would like to wed a millionaire,
But now she's blest with happiness and health,
And knows they're better far than such great wealth.

Miss Ella Brooks, a doctor wished to be
And thought this was denied her, you can see,
Her mission is to bring relief and ease
To every sick and suffering one she sees.

Miss Jessie May had often said in mirth
She wouldn't marry the best man on earth.
But when he came, she quickly changed her mind,
As all wise people sometimes do, you'll find.

Miss Sophia McShane, you may have guessed,
Thought she would own a ranch, away out west.
But now she just says firmly "no, siree
Old Iowa is good enough for me."

Anna McWilliams thought she'd like to rove
To Florida, and buy an orange grove,
She hasn't gone yet, but of course, she may,
And we'd go down and visit her some day.

Miss Della Stahl thought she would dress up fine.
She's left such vain ambitions far behind.
And settled down to house work's daily grind.

Miss Evelyn Enderson thought not of fame,
To fill her mind with knowledge was her aim.
But now, it seems to be her main pursuit.
To fill glass cans with vegetables and fruit.

Miss Lizzie Willis would a singer be,
So all her friends and neighbors did agree
And if, perchance you hear her sing tonight
I think you will admit that we were right.

Miss Cora Roderick took her pen in hand
And many an interesting story planned
But now, her only use for ink and pens
Is to keep count of turkeys, eggs and hens.

Miss Lucy Gilson would a poem write.
She rhymed by day and dreamed of it by night
But now, her garden fills her daily dreams,
Her poems, are potatoes, corn and beans.

When Etta Barnes was just a child at play,
She hoped to own a bicycle, some day.
Now, in her auto, she goes driving by,
And soon, I think, an aeroplane she'll fly.

Grace Barr thought she an office girl would be
She'd learn bookkeeping and stenography
But now, she takes a breath of country air
And thinks how she would hate an office chair.

Miss Ethel Sweatt thought needle-work was play
She'd quilt and knit, embroider and crochet.
She's laid aside her lace and fancy blocks
And does her work on husband's shirts and socks.

Miss Edith Bender always longed to fly,
She envied all the birds up in the sky.
And now, since airplanes travel all abouut
She'll soon be flying, too, I have no doubt.

Miss Alice Winter often gaily said
She'd be an independent, free old maid
But fate had other plans and now behold
A wife and mother, worth her weight in gold.

And Miss Ruth Hammill thought 'twould be worth while
To be ship wrecked upon a desert isle.
But now she's lost her love for lonely places
And likes to live 'mongst dear and friendly faces.

Miss Velma Miller, taught the district school
And well her pupils minded every rule.
And now, as honored member of our band,
She's always ready with a helping hand.

Miss Nora Ingalls always wished to be
Tall and sedate and full of dignity
But fate decreed her, glad and unafraid
The shortest, sweetest, member of our aid.

"My one ambition" said Miss Ruby Bray,
"Was to be president of the U.S.A."
But now I know, her own home work she'd chose,
And presidential honors she'd refuse.

Miss Cecil Roderick planned to cross the seas
And travel over Europe if you please.
But now that U-boats through the waters roam,
She thanks her lucky stars she's safe at home.

Miss Addie Evans says it was her wish
That she might learn successfully to fish.
She's learned the secret now and has confessed
A silver hook will always work the best.

A Gipsy girl one told Miss Jessie Brooks
She would be one of earth's most famous cooks.
She has not climbed to fame or fortune yet,
Although she makes a dandy omlet.

Felicia Palmer would a teacher be,
For all her ancestors taught school you see.
Now she goes speeding down a country lane,
Her dream of teaching quite forgot, 'tis plain.

~*~*~

~newspaper clipping, unknown paper or date, ca mid-1930's
~contributed by Janet Brooks Koozer
~transcribed by S. Ferrall