The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-07-13
"Papa Goes There.n
BIT MRS. CAROLINE A. souLs.

may, Wou yOu
The words Were uttered ia,aD Dplaintiv
and sadly entreating tone, the hands {
the speaker clasping the knees OF the lis,
ener.
1t was boy of seven short wears VIII
lisped them; beautiful boy with fal
high brow, around which there clustered
glorious wealth Of auburn curls; with darl
flashing eyes; cheek rosy with health; lip
like the cherries of summer, and voic
like the birds that taste them. Their
were teals in those eyes at this time, tho
and the dimpled mouth was quivering.
1t was man oi some five and thirty
years who listened to his plea; man wht
had been of bile looks and prncely bear
ing. Ay, had 6eenl for the biz ghtinp
truth was written over for and face. Hi
locsss were matted. bis forehead scowliny
his eyes red-but not with teps there
were furows O., his check, too, and bra.
.ish hook. to the x,c,ressiou Of his lips
Twice did the little boy o',dress him ere he
answered. Then pushing the c.s.'ld ru2e'y
from him, he said, in stern voice, "No,
no. It's no place for you"
Again those fair, small hands eucircled
tho knees.
"You go, papa. Why can. I, too'-
Do ie: me 90"
For momeu: the heart of The inebriate
seemed to wake from its sleep. He shud-
dered rs he thought Of the character OF The
place his pure souled boy would enter. He
took the child tendery in his arms and
kiss'd him as Of old, then putting him
down, he said kindly:
"You must not ask me again to take
you there. 1t is no place for little boys"
and seiz'ng his hat hurried from the room,
murmuring 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 a long time Willie stood where his
father had left him, then turning towards
the few emders which family glowed upon
the hearth, he sat down in his little chair
and resting his head upon his mothers lap,
said, earnestly:
"Mama, why isn't that pretty store a
good place for little boysl Papa loves to
20 there"
1t was a 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 the that he should
look with shame upon him or that his gen
tie and pure heart should thus commune
with so intense grief. Kindly she toved
with his long ringlcts for while then said,
cndcarngly, Papa knows better than you,
what is best for his little boy. When you
grow older you will learn why he docs not
wish t. take YOU" Then rising, she care
fully put down her babe upon its little bed
and tied on her hood nnI cloak
"Mind Tie cradle, now, Willie; I'll come |
back soon and then you shall havo some
supper AMI a nice fire to sit by too" and
taking l%egc basket Of ironcd clothes she
went out. A wealthy mother would have
been scared to death at the thought only |
of leaving so young boy at nightfall all
alone with an infant TO care for and an o.
pen fire. place to sit beside. But poor Mrs.
Nj. knew well she could trust Willie with
his sister, and MS for burning up, there
were not Goals enough to thaw his b.uc,
stiff fingers. No, she did not fear TO 90
md leave him, for he had thus been left
mary n time and always carefully obeyed
her.
And he meant to know; 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 90, and he
knew there must he something there he
liked, for he never came again Till long af
er Willie was asleep. What lay behind
hose scarlet curtairs was n mystery he
sought in vain to rave.
AT length he whispered eagerly, as if
o encourage n longing wish, "Papa used
o tell me, if wanted to know rery bad,
o persevere and would find it out. Now
do want to know what makes him love
o 90 there so. l know there must be
,rctty things behind those windows.
houldn't wonder" and his checks were
, owing, "if it was like fairy house.
Why can't go!'
Poor Willie! The temptation to know
vas to strong TO b, resisted; so he hunted
trough the clo set for candle. for ho was
thoughtful little fellow and would not
eare his little sister to the only danger
hat could menace her. He found bit of
tallow dip, and lighting il, drew the
tand close to her, that the flames might
carce away tho rats and mice should they
ally out ere his return.
al won't stay long, pretty dear" said
e pressing tender kiss on her sleeping
ps, and drawing the bpnke: close over
er fair arms. mo, I'll come back soon
ut | do so want to take one peep"
Swiftly bis little feet tcre him over the
avemcnt and in a trice he stood beside the
urtained door.
"How light it is, and how they laugh
nd talk. It must all be very funny
here"
A cold November blast swept around
he corner as ho spoke, penetrating his
'orn, summer clothes, and causing his
esh to culver, and his teeth to clatter.
81 don't believe they'd hurt me, If /. ;
hould go in a while, / am such a little {,
oy and l am SO cod out here" he said,
3 he pushed the door carefully from him.
tipping in and closing il without breath
noise. For q moment he was bewilder.