by Florence Rowland Being ailing in body and much depressed, I went to Florida for sunshine and rest. My sister and I, having pooled our cash, Found a pleasant room though we acted quite rash. Twas too far from cafes, too far from the beach, These places of course were important to reach. We moved to a room near the Sand Bar Shanty, But the food was poor and also quite scanty. We found there were many good places to eat, With plenty of vegetables and very good meat. The strawberry short-cake was indeed very fine, And if you desired you could get fine wine. So being settled, we repaired to the strand, To soak up the sunshine and lie in the sand. The waves were calm and pleasant in motion, And we waded about a bit in the ocean. Being quite modest and old fashioned to boot, We had not bought us a bathing suit. But hundreds were there very much undressed, And talking it over, we both confessed That for old-fashioned modesty we didn’t give a hoot, And each went shopping for a bathing suit. The styles were many and also very scanty, Without much top and very little panty. We looked and looked at all kinds and sorts, And finally bought us some halters and shorts. I recalled distinctly a day long ago, When my own young daughter was dressed thus and so, That I was so shocked and had so much to say, That she obediently laid them away. But we found these ideas are very ridiculous, And one fully dresses was really conspicuous. So we entered the business, bathing and sun, Till we were red as a beet, then brown as a bun, And my aches and pains are beginning to wane, I can sleep at night without much pain. My skin is such a mulatto like shade, I am sure I could pass for a colored maid. Hurrah! A new idea has just come to me, As my funds are so exhausted you see, As a waitress or maid I will cut a new caper, So look for my ad in the Sunday paper.