The Salt Lake Herald

WHEN THE GIRLS WORE CALICO.
(Hattie Whitney in Munsey's Magazine.)
There was a time, betwixt the days
Of linsey-woolsey, straight and prim,
And these when mode with despot ways
Leads woman captive at its whim.
Yet not a hundred years ago,
When girls wore simple calico.
Within the barn by lantern light,
Through many a reel, with flying feet,
The boys and maidens danced at night
To fiddle's measures, shrilly sweet;
And merry revels were they, though
The girls were gowned in calico.
Across the flooring rough and gray
The gold of scattered chaff was spread,
And long festoons of clover hay,
That straggled from the loft o'erhead,
Swung scented trusses to and fro
O'er pretty girls in calico.
They used to go a-Maying then,
The blossoms of the spring to seek
In sunny shade and sheltered glen
Untroubled by fashion's latest freak.
And Robin fell in love, I know,
With Phyllis in her calico.
A tuck, a frill, a bias fold,
A hat curved over gypsy waist,
And beads of coral and of gold,
And rosy cheeks and merry eyes,
Made lassies, in that long ago
Look charming in their calico.
The modern knight who loves a maid
Of gracious air and gentle grace,
And finds her oftentimes arrayed,
In shining silk and priceless lace
Would love her just as well, I know,
In pink and lilac calico.