Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1857-05-08
I'll Miscellaneous.
"PAPA GOES THERE. :"
BY MRS. cARo11NE A sortr


"MAYN'T I go with you, papa! Please
say | may, won't you3"
The words were uttered in a plaintiv,
and sadly entreating tone, the hands of The
speaker clasping tho knees of the listener
1t was q boy of seven years who lispeC
them; beautiful boy, with fair high brow
around which there clustered a gloriou.
wreath of auburn curls; with dark, flashing
eyes; checks rosy with health, lips like the
cherries of summer, and voice like the
birds which taste them. There were tears
in those eyes at this time, and the dimpled
mouth was quivering.
1t was man of some five and thirty who
listened to this plea; man who had beer
of noble looks and princely bearing. Ay
had beenl for the blighting truth was writ
ten over form and face. His locks were
matted, his forehead scowling, his eyes red
but not with tears; there were furrows or
his checks, too, and british look to the ex
preston of his lips. Twice did the little
boy address him ere he answered. Then
pushing the child rudely from him, he said
in stern voice. "No, no. It's no place
for you."
Again those fair, small hands encircled
the knees.
"You 60, papa. Why can't 1 too? Dc
let me 60"
For n moment tho heart of the inebriatc
seemed to wake from its sleep. He shud.
dcred as he thought of the character of the
place his pure-souled boy would enter. He
took the child tcnderly in his arms, and kiss.
ed him as of old; then putting him down
he said kindly:
"You must not ask mo again to take you
there. 1t is no place for little boys" and
seizing his hat hurried from the room, mur-
muring to himself, as he paced to the bril-
liant bar-room, "and no place for men either
Would to God l had never gone."
For long time Willie stood where hi:
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, earn
estly:
"Mamma, why isn't that pretty store
good place for little boys? Papa loves tc
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 couldn't bear that he should look
with shame upon him, or that his pure and
gentle heart should thus commune with SC
intense grief. Kindly she toyed with his
long ringlets for awhile, then said endear,
ingly, "Papa knows better than you what is
best for his little boy. When you grow old.
er, 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 you shall have some supper
and nice fire to sit by, too" and taking
a large basket of ironed clothes she went
ont. A wealthy mother would have been
at the thought only of leaving so
young boy at night-fall all alone with an
infant to care for, an open fire TO sit beside.
But poor Mrs. M. knew we'll 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 90 and
leave him, for he had thus been left many
time, and always carefully obeyed her.
And he meant to now; but poor little fell
low his thoughts would wander to that
brilliant corner store, whittier he knew his
father always wentat evening; and his brain
was busy with eager wonderings. He knew
his father loved to go, and knew there must
be something that he liked, for he never
came home again until long after Willie
was asleep, What lay behind those scarlet
curtains was mystery he sought in vain to
lnravel
AT length he whispered eagerly, as if to
encourage longing wish, ''Papa used to
tell me, if wanted to know any thing very
bad, to persevere, aud would find it ont.
Now | do want to know what makes him
love to go there so. | know that there
must be pretty things behind those windows.
shouldn't wonderland his checks were