Excelsior   By: Bret Harte (1836-1902)

PRESENTED BY ENOCH MORGAN'S SONS CO. NEW YORK.

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The shades of night were falling fast, As through an Eastern village passed A youth who bore, through dust and heat, A stencil plate, that read complete "SAPOLIO."

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CLEAN PAINT, OIL CLOTHS, FLOORS, WOOD WORK, TABLES & SHELVES WITH SAPOLIO.

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His brow was sad, but underneath, White with "Odonto" shone his teeth, And through them hissed the words, "Well, blow Me tight if here is 'ary show!" "SAPOLIO."

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WASH DISHES, PORCELAIN, CHINA & GLASS WARE WITH SAPOLIO.

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On household fences, gleaming bright, Shone "Gargling Oil," in black and white, Once "Bixby's Blacking" stood alone, He straight beside it clapped his own "SAPOLIO."

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POLISH MILK CANS & PANS AND ALL KINDS OF TIN WARE WITH SAPOLIO.

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"Try not my fence," the old man said, "With 'Mustang Liniment' 'tis spread, Another vacant spot thar aint." He answered with a dash of paint "SAPOLIO."

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CLEAN STEEL KNIVES & FORKS AND ALL METALLIC TOOLS AND UTENSILS WITH SAPOLIO.

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"O, stay," the maiden said, "A rest Pray give us! What with 'Bixby's Best,' And 'Simmons' Pills,' we're like to die." He only answered, "Will you try SAPOLIO?"

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CLEAN BATH TUBS, WASH BASINS AND SINKS WITH SAPOLIO.

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"Beware them peaks! That wall so bright Is but a snow bank, gleaming white, Your paint wont stick!" Came the reply, "I've done it! 'How is that for high?'" "SAPOLIO."

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SCOUR POTS, KETTLES, PANS & ALL BRASS & COPPER UTENSILS WITH SAPOLIO.

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One Sabbath morn, as heavenward White Mountain tourists slowly spurred, On ev'ry rock, to their dismay, They read that legend strange, alway "SAPOLIO"

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CLEAN GLASS WARE, WINDOWS, PORCELAIN & CHINA WARES WITH SAPOLIO.

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There on the summit, old and fat, Shameless, but vigorous, he sat, While on their luggage as they passed, He checked that word, from first to last, "SAPOLIO."

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CLEAN MARBLE TABLES, FLOORS, STATUARY AND HARD FINISHED WALLS WITH SAPOLIO.