Donation to a Fair
On one occasion Oliver Wendell Holmes sent a letter to the post-office of a ladies’ fair at Pittsfield. On the first page he wrote—
“Fair lady, whoso’er thou art,
Turn this poor leaf with tenderest care,
And hush, Oh hush, thy breathing heart—
The one thou lovest will be there.”
On turning the “poor leaf” there was found a one dollar bill with the subjoined verse—
“Fair lady, lift thine eyes and tell
If this is not a truthful letter?
This is the one (1) thou lovest well,
And nought (0) can make thee love it better.”