Excelsior
Author: Bret Harte
Date: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

[Pg 1]

[Pg 4]

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."

[Pg 6]

CLEAN PAINT, OIL CLOTHS, FLOORS,
WOOD WORK, TABLES & SHELVES
with Sapolio.

[Pg 8]

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."

[Pg 10]

WASH DISHES, PORCELAIN, CHINA
& GLASS WARE
with Sapolio.

[Pg 12]

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."

[Pg 14]

POLISH MILK CANS & PANS
AND ALL KINDS OF TIN WARE
with Sapolio.

[Pg 16]

"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."

[Pg 18]

CLEAN STEEL KNIVES & FORKS AND ALL
METALLIC TOOLS AND UTENSILS
with Sapolio.

[Pg 20]

"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?"

[Pg 22]

CLEAN BATH TUBS, WASH BASINS
AND SINKS
with Sapolio.

[Pg 24]

"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."

[Pg 26]

SCOUR POTS, KETTLES, PANS
& ALL BRASS & COPPER UTENSILS
with Sapolio.

[Pg 28]

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

[Pg 30]

CLEAN GLASS WARE, WINDOWS,
PORCELAIN & CHINA WARES
with Sapolio.

[Pg 32]

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."

[Pg 34]

CLEAN MARBLE TABLES, FLOORS,
STATUARY AND HARD FINISHED WALLS
with Sapolio.