Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-10-06
they have carried away papa.


AS the cars in which we were recently
travelinghalted at a station. our attention
was arrested by a beautiful little girl, ap-
parently less than two years Of age, who
was looking from one Of the windows Of
a house standing but a few feet from the
track. She was wailing most piteously.
and ON her sweet, wan face, was painted
deeper sorrow than we had ever before
seen on the face of an infant, such as this.
All the while she repeated, with pathos
indescribably mournful. 'They have car
ried away my papa; when will they bring
him back p sa'
Presently a lady. whom We instantly.
recognized as former acquaintance
came from the house, and entering the
car in which we sat, took a seat near us.
did you observea child at the win
dow?' she observed, when the train had
again taken wings.
Eyes we replied. and with deep in
terest'
"A fortnight since rejoined our friend.
the father Of that little girl set out for
the gold region. She was always amused
at seeing the cars pass; and the morning
fixed upon for her fathers departure, as
she heard the train approaching, climb
ed to her accustomed place, and clap.
ping her hands in great glee, watched its
coming,
tAt that moment the father and moth
er entered the room, the former with a
forced smile upon his features, and the
latter pale and tremulous with suppressed
emotion. One pressure to his fond heart,
one fervent kiss, and the love pledge only
was replaced at the window with low.
God bless you, my darling Emi-good
bye
This was evidently the first intimation
to the little one of her fathers intended
departure. AT the words she turned
quickly, and with n half incredulous ex-
preston from the window, surveyed his
person, aud seeing that he was really
equipped for journey, returned his par
ting salutation.
Good bye, Papa, good bye
Another moment, and the adventurer
had entered the cars, which were begin
ming again to move forward. The young
wife and mother turned from the spot
where the long farewell had been ex-
changed, and re-entered her dwelling
with streaming eyes. Instantly the
child appeared to apprehend that her ia
theirs absence was destined, not to be as
usual, a temporary one the gay smile
fed from her intelligent features, and
stretching her tiny arms toward her father,
who, from window was casting be-
hind long look, she cried in lisping &C
cents:
20, please do come back, papa and
take mamma and Emil
The father, who had hitherto succee-
ded in maintaining external compo-
sure, was seen to withdraw his gaze and
press a handkerchief to his eyes.
The child had scarcely smiled since
On the approach of the cars she always
takes her place at the window, from which
no inducement can draw her, and watch
es with eager eyes till she finds her faith
er has not come, when, in n tone of sad
ness, truly affecting, she repeats as you
Just now heard her.
They have carried away my papa
when will they bring him back 2
Her appetite has failed; she has grown
pale and thin, and, whether sleeping or
waking, her thoughts are constantly with
her absent parent. Her mother has de-
cided to take her from the scenes which
so constantly remind her of her affection,
as the only means of restoring her health
and spirits.
Lovely, affectionate creature we
could not help exclaiming, as the narra-
tor ceased, may the beloved one, his la
bors abundantly blessed, at no distant
day be restored to the Joys of his home.