The poem inside the book is called “Nothing to Wear” and describes the trials and tribulations of a young lady who has nothing to wear despite an extensive shopping spree!

NOTHING TO WEAR by William Allen Butler
Flora McFlimsey, of Madison Square,
Has made three separate journeys to Paris,
And, her father assures me, each time she was there,
That she and her friend, Mrs. Harris ….
Spent six consecutive weeks without stopping
In one continuous round of shopping ….
For all manner of things that a woman can put
On the crown of her head or the sole of her foot,
Or wrap round her shoulders, or fit round her waist,
Or that can be sewed on, or pinned on, or laced,
Or tied on with a string, or stitched on with a bow,
In front or behind, above or below;
For bonnets, mantillas, capes, collars, and shawls;
Dresses for breakfasts and dinners and balls;
Dresses to sit in and stand in and walk in;
Dresses to dance in and flirt in and talk in;
Dresses in which to do nothing at all;
Dresses for winter, spring, summer, and fall ….
And yet, though scarce three months have passed since that day
This merchandise went, on twelve carts, up Broadway,
This same Miss McFlimsey, of Madison Square,
The last time we met was in utter despair
Because she had nothing whatever to wear!