The Davenport daily gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1856-1869, 1856-12-05
9uE DAILY GAZETTE
PAPA GOES THERE. :"
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eyuRs. CAROLINE A sooLh'

ou.ys'r go with you, papa!--
Please say may, won't yoaf
11' Tbs words we're uttered in a plain
.;ra az and sadly entreating tone, the
hands Of the speaker claspng The
tnees of the listener.
+ was boy Of seven years WI 9
r.na6 them: beautiful boy, with
tSr tar bigh brow, around which there
ain''t,rqd lIn' a glorious wreath Of auburn
@a onJs with dark, flashing eyes
cheeks s rosy with health lips like the
cb cherries Of summer, and voice e, like
tbs birds which taste them. There
w we're tears in those eyes at this time,
though, and the dimpled mouth was
quyerlng. .1.l.
Il was a man OF some five and thirty
rho listened to this plea a man who
had been OF noble looks and princely
fearing. Ay, had been! for the light,
nns truth was written over form and
ace His locks were matted, has
1rsbead scrowling, his eycs--red, but
nal with tears there were burrows on
Ii cheeks. too, and a british look to
he expression OF his lips. Twice did
he little boy address him ere he an
,were Then pushing the child rude
| Il from him, he said, in a stern voice,
aNo. no. lt's no place for you.
Again those fair, small hands en-
eircled the knees.
You 80, papa why can 'oo'
4 Doletme 20"
For moment the heart Of the inc
hriate seemed to wake from its sleep.
he shnddered as he thought Of the
character Of the place his pure souled
byy would enter. He took the child
tenIerly in his arms, and kissed him
\ IS Of old then putting him down, he
/ said kindly.
You must not ask me again to
take you there. 1t is no place for lit
tie boys and seizing his hat hurried
rom the room, murmuring to himself,
as he paced his way to the brilliant
tar room, and mo place for men ei-
her. Would, to God had never
gone.
For long time Willie stood where
bis father had left him then turning
to the few embers that family glowed
upon the hearth, he sat down in his
little chair, and resting his head upon
his mothers lap, said, earnestly:
Mamma, why isn'tthat pretty store
good place for little boys' Papa
loves to 60 there.
1t was a trying question for the
poor, heart broken woman. She had
50 lar kept from her son the knowl,
edge 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 endearingly," Papa knows
better than you what is best for his
hnle boy. When you grow olderyou
will learn why he does not wish to
axe 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 /; III
come back soon, and then you shall
have some supper, and a nice fire to
sit by, too, and taking a large basket
Of ironed clothes she went out. A
wealthy mother would have been
frightened at the thought only OF leav-
'sg so young boy at night fall all
alone with an infant to care for, and
an open freside to sit beside. But
poor Mrs. NJ, knew well she could
trust Willie with his sister, and as for
burning up, there was not Goals
enough TO thaw his blue, stiff fingers.
No, she did not fear to go and leave
him, for he had thus been left many a
time, and always carefully obeyed
her.
And he meant to now; but poor
little teIlowl his thoughts would wan
def 10 that brilliant corner store, whith-
er he knew his father always went at
evening; and his brain was busy with
eager wonderings. He knew his
'a'her loved to go, aud knew there
must be something that he liked, for
ne never came hone again till long at
Ter Willie was asleep. What lay be-
hlnd those scarlet curtains was mys-
'ery he sought in vain to unravel.
Atlength he whispered eagerly, as
Il to encourage longing wish, "Papa
used to tell me, if wanted to know
Sny'mng.v very bad, to persevere, and.l
would lind it out. Now | do want to
know what makes him love to go
Aere so. | know that there must be
pretty things behind those windows.
shouldn't wonder" his cheeks
were glowing --"if it was like a fairy
noqse' Why can't | go!"
foor Willie. The temptation to
AhoW was too strong to be resisted
W ne hunted through the closet for a
ssannaIe, for he was thoughtful little
le'low, and would not leave HE little
SISTER to the only danger that could
menace her. He found q bit ottallow
up and lighting it. drew the stapd
e o1ose to her, that the fame might
~ .L1fe away the rats and mice, should
'"ey sally out ere his return.
= won't stay long, pretty dear"
aIlu he, pressing a tender kiss on her
oSiieeplng lids, and drawingthe blanket
o'oSe over her fair arms. "No. I'll
,o'l' ,oI back soon, but | do SO want to
'aEe one peep"
;, swiftly his little feet bore him over
b tue pavement, and in a trice he stood
"eSlIe the curtained door.
H., How light it is, and how thew
~sh En and talk 1t must all he very y