Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1846-02-19
CHILDREN.
BY MRS. HARRIET BEEcHER STOWE.
"A lille child shall lead them.'

"A little child shall lead them
One cold market morning, ! looked into a
miliner'. shop, and there saw hale, hear
ty, well-browned young fellow from the
country, with his long cart whip. and lion
shay coat, holding up some little matter,
and turning il about on his great list
And what do you suppose it was? A oahys
bonnet! A little soft, satin hood, with
swan's-down border, white as the new-1allen
snow, with frill of rich blonde around the
edge.
By his side stood very pretty woman,
holding with no small pride the babylon
evidently it was the baby. Any one could
read that fact in every glance, as they look
ed at each other, and then at the large blue
unconscious eyes, and fat dimpled cheeks OF
the little one.
1t was evident that neither of them had
ever seen baby like that before!
But really, Mary said the young man,
isn't three dollars very high'
Mary prudently said nothing, but taking
the little bonnet, tied it on the little head,
and held up the baby. The man looked, and
grinned, and without saying another word
down went the three doliars-all that the
last weeks butter came to; and as they
walked out of the shop, il is hard to say
which looked most delighted with the bar
gain
sAh,' though. I, "a little child shall lead
Them
Another day as was passing carriage
factory along one of our back streets, l sa"
a Young mechanic at work on wheel. The
rough BODY of a carriage stood beside him
and there, wrapped up snugly, all hood
ed and cloaked, sat little daIk-eyed girl
about year old, playing with a great shag'
gy dog. As / stopped, the man looked uF
from his work and turned admiringly tow
ard his little companion, as much as to say
See what ] have got here"
tYesn thought l, 'and if the little lady
ever gets a glance from admiring swains a.
sincere as that, she will be lucky
All, these children! little witches! pretty
even in all their faults and absurdities! win
ming even in their sin and iniquities! See
for example, yonder little fellow in
naughty ft-he has shaken his long curl'
over his deep blue eyes-the fair brow Ii
bent in frown-the rose-leaf lip is purset
mn in infinite defance-and the Whit
shoulder thrust naughtily forward. CaI
any but child look so pretty even IN incl
naughtiness?
Then comes the instant change-hashins
smiles and tears, as the good comes back al
in rush, and you are overwhelmed viii
protestations, promises and kisses! The!
are irresistible, too, these little ones. Inc!
pull away the scholars pen-tumble aoou
his papers-make SUmersets over his books
and what can he do? They tear up news
papers-litter the carpets-break, pull am
upset, and then jabber unimaginable Eng
lish in self-defence, and what can you d
for yourself? .....
IfI had Child says the precise mar
you should see.'
He does have child, and his child tear
nm his papers, tumbles over his things, an
pulls his nose, like all other children, an
what has the precise man to say for himself
Nothing-he is like every body else
little child shall lead him. 49,,
Poor little children! they bring ana teac
us human beings, more good than they g
. in return! How often does the infant VII
its soft cheek and helpless hand, awaken
mother from worldliness and egotism, TO
!, whole world Of new and higher feeling