Muscatine journal. [volume] (Bloomington, Iowa) 1849-185?, 1853-09-09
L,ttle Charlie, the Child-AEgeh

tie my neighbors, or hit against any o
their rough angles, manage to be cheer
ful, contented and happy. In my mul
titudinous rations,I have had some
opportunity 10 study human nature
Lately, have become a temporary in
mate of a crowded boarding NJ
little room has already begun 10 look
home-like. The cheerful sun has ex-
panded the fragrant flowers | love sc
| we'll TO nurture; my canary trills hi;
satisfaction In gayer song than ever
and my pictures, books and guitar, drive
"dull care away" and beguile many {
pleasant hour. And now my heart has
found new object Of interest. I've no.
ticed on the staircase, and in the hall
and lobby, lovely child, who seemed
wandering a bout at his own sweet will
sometimes sitting wearily on the Stairs
almost asleep; then Ioitering at the
kitchen door, watching the operations
of the cook; then peeping into the half.
open doors of the different apartments.
As, by rule of the house, mo children
were permitted at table," it was some
time be fore | could ascertain who claim.
ed this little stray waif
One morning, attracted by the carol
of my canary, he ventured 10 put his
little curly head inside my door. He
needed little urging TO enter, for he
read, with chiId's quick instinct, his
welcome in my face. An animated con
versation soon ensued about birds. flow
ers and pictures-his large blue eyes
growing bright, and his cheek flushing
with pleasure, as story followed story
while he sat upon my knee.
At length | said 10 him, "Charie
won't mamma be anxious about you, j.
you stay SO long 3"
20, no. said he,. "Lizzie don't care
"Who's Lizzie -
"Why. my mamma She don't care,
if I'm only out of the way. Lizzie
made me this pretty Dress" said he
holding up his richly { broidered frock
shut Lizzie don't know any stories, anc
she says | m a bore What is a bore p
said the sweet child, as he looked trust.
ingly in my face.
Never mind, now," said |, tearfully:
"you may stay with me- whenever yol
! like. aud we will be very good friends. ;
The dinner bell sounding, gayl.
dressed young thing vociierated. in {
| voice a"v thin0 but musical "Charlie
Charlie - When I apologized for keep
Ing him, she said, careless!y, as she ar.
ranged her bracelets, 20, it don't signi'
I, fy, if you can have patience with him
he's so tiresome with his questions
I've bought him heaps of toys, but he
never wants to play. and is forever ask.
ing me such old-tashioned questions -
Keep him and welcome, when you like
but take my word for it, you'll repent
your baisain.." and she tripped gaily
down 10 dinner.
Poor little Charlie Time iu plenty
to adjust all those silken ringl lets; time
TO embroider all those little gay dresses;
time 20 linger ill midnight over the las,
new novel; but for the soul that looked
forth from those deep blue eyes, no time
to sow the good seed, no lime to watch
lest the enemy should SOW lares.
From hat time Charlie and were in.
separable. The thoughtless mother,
we'll content to pass her time deVouring
all sorts of trashy literature, or in idle
gossip with her drawing-room compan
ions. The young father, weary with
business troubles, contenting himself
with a quiet .'good night" and closing
the day by visit to the theatre or con-
cert-room. Poor Charlie, meanwhile,
put to bed. FOR safe-keeping, would lie
hours, tossing restlessly from side TO
side, with nothing in his mind,' as he
innocently said to me. What a JOY to
sit by his sile aud beguile the lonely
hours There l learned to understand
the meaning OF our Sayiour's words,
For of such is the kingdom OF Heaven. I"
La his clear, silvery tones, he would
repeat after me, Oar Father" asking
me the meaning Of every petition; thea
he would say, "Why don't you tell Liz
zie Z Lizzie don't know any prayers!'
One night | sang him these lines
"Sweet fields beyond the swelling. .aood,
Stand dressed in living green
He raised himself in bed, while the
tears trembled on his long lashcs. and
said, 20, sing that again-it seems IS If
saw beautiful picture 7" Then, TAX
ing my GUITAR, would sit by his bed
side, and watch the blue eyes droop and
grow heavy with slumber as | sung to
him. Aud she, whose duty, and joy,
and pride, i; should have been TO lead
those little feet to Him who bidde,h
''litlle children come," was indolently
and contentedly bound in flowery iesters
Of her own weaving. unmindtui that an
angels destiny was intrus ted to her care
less keeping.
Little Charlie lay tossing in his little
bed, with high fever. Ii is needless
10 tell Of the hold it had upon my hear.
and services. His childish mother, Ell
ther unable or unwilling to see his dam
ger, had left me in charge oil him
drawn from his side by the attraction
of great military ball | changed his
heated pillows, gave him the cooling
| draught, bathed his feverish temples
and, finally. at his request, rocked him
gently, TO quiet his restiessness. de
placed his little arms catessingly 'about
my neck, and said, feebly, "Sing to me
of Heaven" When finished, he look
ed languidly up, saying, where's biz
zie g-l must kiss Lizzie p and as th'
words died upon his lips, his eyes droop
ed, lis heart futtered like prisonet
hird ,nd Ettle Char was counte,