Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1852-12-08
THEY HAVE canRlsD AWAY PAPA.

As the cars 10 which we recently were .raY-
cling haulted at station. our attention was
arrested by beautiful little girl apparently
less than two years of age, who was looking
from one OF the windows Of house standing
but few feet from The track. She was wal ;
ling 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 hides
cribahly mournful They have carried away
my papa; when win they bring him back y
Presently lady. whom We recognized, as
former acquaintance, came from the house,
and entering the car in which we sat, took a
seat hear us.
Did you observe a child at the window z
she observed, when the train had again taken
wings.
"Yes.' we replied. "and with deep inte-
rest"
"a fortnight since" rejoined our friend
"the father of that little girl set out for the
gold region. She was always amused at sse-
ing the cars pass; and as she heard the train
approaching. climcd up to her accustomed place
and, clapping her hands 10 great glee, watch
ed its coming
AT that moment the father and mother en-.
, tered, the former with forced smile upon
bis feature, and the latter pale and tremulous
with suppressed emotion. The pressure to
bis fond heart. one fervent kiss. and the love
pledged only was replaced at the window with
low God bless you my darling Emi-good
byer'
This was evidently the first intimation To
her little one Of the fathers intended dcpar-
turc. At the words he turned quickly ana
with half incredulous expression from the
window surveyed his person. and seeing thai
he was really equipped for journey return
ee his parting salutation
Good bye, papa, good bye
Another moment and the advcnturer hat
entered the cars, which were beginning 4
move forward. The young wife and mother
turned from the spot where the long farewell
had been exchanged, and re entered her dwell
ing with streaming eyes. INSTANTLY the chill
appeared to comprehend that her father ab
sence was destined not to be, as usual. TEN
porary one, the gay smile fed from her intel
| iigent features; and stretching her tiny arm
toward her father. Who from the window, wa
casting behind long look, she cried IN lisp
ing accents:
| % please do come back papa. and taxi
mamma and Emil
The father who had hitherto succeeded II
maintaining eternal composure, was seen e
withdraw bis gaze, and press q handkerchief
to his eyes
The child has scarcely smiled since. On
the approach of the cars, she always takes her
place at the window, from which no induce
ment can draw her. and watches with eager
eyes till she finds her father has not come,
when 10 tone Of sadness truly affecting. she
repeats as you just now heard her ID,
They have carried away my papa, when
will they bring him back
Her appetite has failed; she has grown
pale and thin, and, whether sleeping or wa
king, her thoughts are constantly with heI
absent parent. Her mother has decided to
take her from the scenes which so constantly
remind her of her affection, as The only means
o. rertoring her health and spirits.
Lovely affectionate creature, we could mol
help exclaiming, as the narrator ceased, may
the beloved one. bis labors abundantly bless
ed at no distant day be returned to the JOYS
of his home