A -Stands for the first letter, So we will let it pass for something better.
B -Stands for Billy, jovial and free, Who makes many a man lie under a tree.
C -Stands for Charley, the bouncing boy, In body strong, but weak as a toy.
D -Stands for Dogberry and all such, But it is not well to say too much.
E -Stands for Ellis, a hard working man, Whose aim is to do as little as he can.
F -Stands for our Doctor, a little man, Who tries to the very best he can.
G -Stands for George, a man of wealth. Why slyly “takes one to your health.”
H -Stands for Henry, a worker of wood, Try as much as he may he never could.
I -Stands for Isaac, whose family is so clean, It is impossible to say anything too mean.
J -Stands for Jordon, a joy for old Dan, We hope she may cure him from being a lazy man.
K -Stands for what? In the sewing machine line We know of but one, and that is Kline.
L -Stands for Lewis, tall and looks well, When he is mad he can raise Nell.
M -Stands for Mary, fair and kind, Determined to make the children mind.
N -Stands for Nick, a vender of goods, The first of each month he gathers in books.
O -Stands for two Otto’s, lads of fair fame, Yet are always together as one and the same.
P -Stands for post office, and postal cards too, The two go together, so read them through.
Q -Stands for itself, a land-mark of old, We beg you not to treat it too cold.
R -Stands for Ray, and rays make light, God bless our preacher for his discourses are bright.
T -Stands for Tucker, an honored land mark, A joyous age we wish him in his life barque.
U -Stands sometimes for IOU, in which case we always feel blue.
V -Stands for Virginia, a maiden fair, Who will soon splice hands to make a pair.
W -Stands for William, tall and square, No one says aught but he means fair.
X -Stands for Xanthic, yellowish it be, Great Ceaser I hope no one will turn such to me.
Y and Z -Is the ends, and like A we pass by. We crave no reward and ask for no fame. Though again in the future we may try In letters as this, to so do the same.
-Minerva, Buena Vista, Ohio. November 21st, 1883.1