Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1856-12-04
"PAPA GOES THERE"
By MRS CAROLINE 4. soULE.

4
say may, won't YOU"
The words were uttered in plaintive
and sadly entreating tone, the hands of the
speaker clasping the knees of the listener,
1t was boy of seven years who hsped
them; beautiful boy, with fair, high brow,
around which there clustered wreath of
auburn curls; with dark, flashing eyes
checks rosy with health; lips like the cher
ries of summer, and voice like the birds
that eat them. There were tears in those
eyes at this time, though, and the dimpled
mouth was quivering.
1t was man of some five and thirty
who listened to this plea; a man who had
been of noble looks and princely bearing.
Av, had been! for the blighting truth was
written over form and face. His locks
were matted, his forehead scowling, his eyes
red, but not with tears; there were fur
rows on his cheeks, too, and a british look
10 the expression of his lips. Twice did
the little boy address him ere he answered.
Then pushing the child rudeIy from him he
said, in a stern voice, ''no, no. It's no
place for YOU
Again those fair, small hands encircled
the knees.
You 90, papa. Why can't too? Do
let me 90" r.-
For moment the heart of the inebriate
seemed to wake from its sleep. He shud-
dered as he thought of the character of the
place his pure-souled boy would enter
He took the child tenderly in his arms, and
kissed him as of old; then putting. MN
down he said kindly:
..You must not ask me again to take you
there. 1t is no place for little boys" and
seizing his hat hurried from the room, muir
muring TO himself, as he paced the way to
the brilliant bar-room, and "no place for
men either. Would to God | had never
gone"
For long time Willie stood where his
father had left him; then turning to the few
elnbers that family glowed upon the hearth,
he sat down in his little chair, and resting
his head upon his mothers lap, said, earn
estiv:
.'Mamma, why isn't that pretty store a
good place for little boys? Papa loves to
go there
1t was trying question for the poor,
heart broken woman. She had so far kept
from her son the knowledge of his fathers
sin. She could not bear that he should
look with shame upon him, or that his pure
and gentle heart should thus commune with
so intense a grief. Kindly she toyed with
his long ringlets for awhile, then said en-
dearingly, 'Papa knows better than you
what is best for his little boy. When you
grow older you will learn why he does not
wish to take YOU
Then rising she carefully put down her
babe upon its little bed, and tied on her
hood and cloak.
mind the cradle, now, Willie; I'll come
back soon, and then you will have some
supper, and a nice fire 10 sit by, too,' and
taking large basket of ironed clothes she
went out. A wealthy mother would have
been frighted at the thought only of leav-
ing SO young boy at night fall, all alone
with an infant to care for, and an open fire
side to sit by. utpoor Mrs N. knew well
she could trust Willie with lis sister, and
as for burning up, there was not Goals
enough to thaw his blue, stiff fingers. No
she did not fear TO 90 and leave him, for
he had thus been left many time, and al
ways carefully obeyed her.
And he meant to now; but poor little
fellow his thoughts would wander to that
brilliant corner store, whittier he knew his
father always went at evening; and his
brain was busy with eager wanderings-
He knew his father loved to CO. and knew
there must be something that he liked, for
he never came home again till long after
Willie was asleep. What lay behind those
scarlet curtains was mystery he sought in
vain to unravel.
AT length he whispered eagerly, as if to
encourage a longing wish, "Papa used to
tell me, if | wanted to know anything very
bad, to persevere and would find it out.
| Now do want to know what makes him
love to go there so. | know there must be
something pretty behind those windows
| should't wonder and his checks We're
glowing-''if it was like fairy house.
Why can't l go!" at.-f .-r
Poor Willie! The temptation to know
was too strong to be resisted; so he hunted
through the closet for candle, for he was
thoughtful little fellow, and would not
leave his little sisrer to the only danger that
could menace her. He found bit of
tailow dip, and lighting it, drew the stand
close to her, that the flame might scare
away the rats and mice, should they sally
out ere his return.
81 won't stay long, pretty dear" said he,
pressing tender kiss on her sleeping lips,
and drawing the blanket close over her fair
arms. "No I'll come back soon, but l do
want to take one peep"
Swiftly his little feet bore him over the
pavement, and in trice he stood beside
the curtained door.
"How light it is, and how they laugh
and talk Ii must all be very funny there"
A cold, November blast swept around
the corner as he spoke, penetrating his
worn, summer Clothes and cousing his flesh
to culver, and his teeth to chatter.
81 don't believe they'd hurt me, if |
should 90 in awhile; / am such n little boy,
and am so cold out here" he said, as he
pushed the door carefully from him, slip
ping in and closing it without breath of
noise. For a moment he was bewildered
with the light and clatter, and half wished
he were away. But the warm air was
grateful TO his chilled limbs, and fiuding
that no one seemed TO notice him he stole
towards the glowing CRATE, and spread out
his purple palms before the blaze. The