The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1859-12-02
para GOES TIERE.''
BY MRS. CAROLINE A. soULE.

'Mayn't 60 with you, papa? Please
say | may, won't you2'
The words were uttered in plain,
tive and sadly enueating tone, the
hands Of the speaker clasping the
knees of the listener.
1t was a boy of seven years who
lisped them, beautiful boy, with fair,
high brow, around which there clus-
tered a glorious wreath of auburn
curls; with dark, flashing eyes; cheek
rosy with health; lips Ike the cherries
Of summer. and voice like the birds
that taste them. There were tears in
those eyes at this time, though, and the
dimpIe mouth was quivering.
Il was a man of some five and thirty
who listened to this plea; M who
had been of noble love, and ptincelv
bearing. Aye, had beea, for the bligh-
ting truth was written over form and
face. His locks were matted, his fore
head seowling, his eyes-red, but not
with tears there were furrows on his
cheeks, too, and a british look to the
expression 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, mo, no
its no place for you"
Again those fair, small hands encir-
cled the knees.
You go, papa. Why can't too 2
Do let me CO.
For moment the heart of the ine-
briate seemed to wake from its sleep
He shuddered 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 him 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, he hurried from the
room, murmuring to himself as be
paced his way to the brilliant bar-room,
and no place for men, either. Would
to Col | had never goner
For a long time Willie stood where
his father had left him; then turning to
the low embers that family glowad
upon the hearth, he sat down in his
little chair, aud resting his head upon
his mothers lap, he said earnestly
Mamma, why isn't that pretty store
a good place for little boys? Paps
loves TO be there
1t was a trying question for the poor
heart broken woman. She had so ia
, kept frem her son the knowledge of hi
t fathers sin. She could not bear tha
he should look with shame upon him
; Or that his pure and gentle heart >houl
thus commune with SO intense grie
Kindly she toyed with his long ringIer
for while, then said endraringj,
9 Papa knows better than You. what
best for his little boy When yo
: grow older you viii earn Why he doe
f not wish to take YOU
e Then rising, she carefully pat dow
g her babe upon its little bed, and til
Il on her hood and cloak.
Mind the cradle now, Willie,
- come back soon, and then you ST.,
= have some supper and nice fire to
u by, too and taking a large basket
II ironed clothes, she went out we,
or thy mother would have been frighten,
lg at the thought of leaving SO young
boy at night fall all alone, with an i
n fant to care for, and an open freside
til sit beside. But poor Mrs. NJ. kne
le we'll she could trust Willie with
20 sister, and as for burning up, t. ere W
ut not coal enough to thaw his blue st
fingers. No, the did not fear to
ap and leave him, for he had thus be,
an left many time, and always careful
in obeyed her.
IL And he meant TO now; but po
little fellow! his thoughts would wand
- | N fbat hriIliant oop,,,. etorn ,,I,ra