The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1860-09-21
Boy Lost.

cheeks, and hair almost black and almost
curly. He wore a crimson plaid jacket, with
full trousers, buttoned on. Had habit of
whistling, and liked to ask questions. Was
accompanied by a small dog. 1t is a long
while now since he disappeared. l have a
very pleasant house and much company. My
guests say, "Ah !! it is pleasant here. Every
thing has such an orderly put-away look
nothing about under foot, no dirt"
But my eyes are aching for the sight of
WRITINGS and cut paper upon the floor ; of
tumble-down card houses Of wooden sheep
and cattle ; Of pop-guns, bows and arrows,
whips, tops, go-carts, blocks and trumpery.-
want to see boats a-rigging. and kites anna
king, crumbles on the carpet, and paste spill,
on the kitchen table. | want to see the
chairs and tables turned the wrong way a.
bout want to see candy-making and corn
popping and to find jack-knives and fish
hooks among my muslins yet these things
used to fret me once.
They say-"llow quiet you are here ah
one here may settle his brains and be al
peace" But my ears are aching for the pat
tering of little feet for a hearty shout, a
shrill whistle, gay ira la la, for the crack o.
little whips, for the noise of drums, flies anc
tin trumpets yet these things made ME ner
vOuS once.
! They say-"Ah you have leisure-noth.
ing to disturb you what heaps of sewing
YOU have time for" But long to be asked
for bit of string or old newspaper for ;
cent to buy slate pencil or peanuts.
want to be coaxed for a piece of new clotf
for jibs or main-sails, and then hem the same
want to be followed by little feet all ovel
the house leased for bit of dough for
little cake, or for pie in saucer. ie
these things used to fret me once.
They say-"Ah YOU are not tired at home
How delig ghtful to be always at liberty to g
to concerts, lectures and parties no confine
ment for YOU"
But want confinement want to lister
for the school-beil mornings to give the las
/, hasty wash and brush. and then to watch
from the window, nimble feet bounding t
school. | want frequent rents 10 mend. ant
to replace lost buttons | want to obli,erat
mud stains, fruit stains. and paints of all col
, ors want to be sitting by a little crib OF
evenings, when weary feet are at rest, an
, prattiing voices are hushed, that mother
may sing their lullahies, and tell over the oi
repeated stories. They didn't know their ha{
plness then--those mothers. l didn't. a
e these things called confinement once.
A manly figure stands before me now. II
is taller than |, has thick black whskers an
wears frock coat, bosomed shirt and crava
He has just come from college. He bring
Latin and Greek in his countcnance, an
busts of the old philosophers form the si
ting room. He calls me mother, but al
), rather unwilling to own him.
He stoutly declares that he is my boy, an
y says that he will prove it. He brings me
small pair of white trousers, with gay strip.
:, at the sides, and asks if didn't make thel
for him when he joined the boy IS militia. II
says he is the very boy, too, that made til
). near having a fire in earnest. He brings h
Il little boat to show the red stripe on the sa
y lit was the end of the piece,) and the nan
on the stern-"Lucy Iowa little girl O
our neighborhood, who, because of her lor
a curls and pretty round face, was the chose
Y favorite of my little boy. Her curls WEI
long since cut off, and she has grown to be
tall, handsome girl. How the red comes
v his face when he shows me the name on II
boat Oh see it all as plain as if it We
J. written in book. My little boy is lost al
my big boy will soon be. Oh! wish he We
a little tired boy in long white night gov
" lying in his crib, with me sitting by, holdir
his hand in mine, pushing the curls bat
J. from his forehead, watching his eyes droo
and listening to his deep breathing.
10 If only had my little boy again, how p
tient would be- How much would bes
re and how little would scold. can nev
have him back again but there are still m
- ny mothers who haven't yet lost their lit,
il, boys. wonder if they knew they were Ii
le ing their very best days that now is t
If time to really enjoy their children. | thin
if had been more to my little boy mig
re be more to my grown up one.