(Inspired by true story- this happened in Concord NH)
Sorting through stuff in the hundred and fifty year-old house she had received in inheritance
She came across relics from various generations, but what aroused her curiosity intense
Was a periodical from the summer of 1893, it had a card with a stamped date
It was borrowed from the local library, and was in a remarkably well-preserved state
For the elite women of that period it was a magazine
Full of essays, housekeeping and hosting advice these days rarely seen
She noted that the due date was a week after checkout
One of her ancestors had neglected to return it, no doubt
The hardbound volume was missing two pages as well
But the rest of the magazine seemed untouched, from what she could tell
*
Fascinated by her find, she started reading the magazine every night
It was a glimpse into another era, giving her a rare insight
Into the lives of women from that age
There was fascinating information on every page
*
The local library of which this magazine had belonged
Advertised a campaign that would run all month long
Where all books returned past the due date would not be fined
This announcement rang a bell in her mind- The book needed to be returned but she could not pay
The fine accrued over 133 years in any way
So this was her chance to correct the error
That she had inherited from her ancestor..
*
When the magazine was returned, a big splash it created
The local library got publicity, it had more funds allocated
By returning the book, she has become a local celebrity too
She is just thankful for not paying thousands of dollars in fines that had accrued
Passion...unbridled 