OFF THE NET
I was watching an episode from the second season (1958-59) of "Leave It to Beaver" tonight when I got to the part where Ward reads a note from Beaver's principal, Mrs. Rayburn. If you freeze-frame the note it says:

Mr. Ward Cleaver
485 Mapleton Drive
Mayfield, State

My Dear Mr. Cleaver:

This paragraph has absolutely nothing to do with anything.
It is here merely to fill up space. Still, it is words,
rather than repeated letters, since the latter might not
give the proper appearance, namely, that of an actual note.

For that matter, all of this is nonsense, and the only
part of this that is to be read is the last paragraph,
which part is the inspired creation of the producers of
this very fine series.

Another paragraph of stuff. Now is the time for all good
men to come to the aid of their party. The quick brown
fox jumps over the lazy dog. My typing is lousy, but the
typewriter isn’t so hot either. After all, why should I
take the blame for these mechanical imperfections, with
which all of us must contend. Lew Burdette just hit a
home run and Milwaukee leads seven to one in the series.
This is the last line of the filler material of the note.
No, my mistake, that was only the next to last. This is last.

I hope you can find a suitable explanation for Theodore’s
unusual conduct.

Yours truly,
Cornelia Rayburn

Thanks for posting that letter. No one would have dreamed in 1958 it would be possible in the future to read the entire letter.

"Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their party" is a phrase first proposed as a typing drill by instructor Charles E. Weller; its use is recounted in his book The Early History of the Typewriter, p. 21 (1918).

This line is chosen from an exercise in a Typing Class, however with today's political climate it makes one think ... and maybe in 1918 the political climate was, (as it maybe always is) of concern (?)

Thanks for posting that letter. No one would have dreamed in 1958 it would be possible in the future to read the entire letter.

I know! Had 1958 viewers been able to have that technology at their disposal, they'd have questioned why Ward didn't ponder Mrs. Rayburn having REALLY hit the Geritol (or Vitameatavegimen) before writing that missive! :lol:

My dear Mr. Cleaver---

Well, Cornelia! A little forward, aren't we?