The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1860-08-16
Gbuire RGa1ing.
BOY LOST.

From childhood to manhood was never
more beautifully word -pencilled, than by
the author of the following-who was a
real mother, or we mistake the evidences
of womanly grandeur-EB. jour
He had black eyes, with long lashes,
red cheeks, and hair black and almost
curly. He wore a crimson plaid jacket,
with full trousers buttoned on. He had
a habit of whistling and asking questions.
Was accompanied by small black dog.
1t is long while COW since he disappear
ed. l have a very pleasant house and
much company. My guests say, "Ahl
it is pleasant here Everything has such
an orderly, pathway look-notLing about
under foot, no dirt "
But my eyes are aching for the sight
of whittlings 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 a-making. want to see crum-
bles on the carpet, and paste split on the
kitchen table. | want to see the chairs
and table turned the wrong way about |
want to sec candy making and corn pop
ping; and to find jack knives and fish
hooks among my muslins; yet these things
used to fret me once.
They say" How quiet you are here /;
ah one here may settle his brains and be
at peace" But my ears are aching for
the pattering of little feet; for hearty
shout, shril whistle, gay ira la la, for
the crack of little whips, for the noise of
drums, fifes and tin trumpets yet these
things made me nervous once
They say" "Ah you have leisure
nothing to disturb you; what heaps of
sewing you have time for" But long
to be asked for bit of string or an old
newspaper for cent 70 buy slate pen
eli or peanuts. | want to be coaxed for
a piece of new cloth for jibs or main-sails,
and then to hem the same; | want to
make little flags and bags to hold marbles.
l want to be followed by little feet all
over the house teased for bit of dough
for little cake, or to bake pie in sau-
ger. Yet these thiRgs used to fidget me.
They say" All! you are not tied at
home. How delightful to be always at
liberty tu 90 to concerts, lectures and par
ties no confinement for you" But L
want confinement, | want to listen for the
school bell mornings; to give the last
hasty wash and brush, and then to watch,
from the window, nImble feet bounding
to school. [ want frequent rents to mend,
and to replace lost buttons; want to OBJ
Iiterate mud stains, fruit stains, n2olasses
stains, and paints Of all colors. want
to be sitting by little crib of evenings,
when weary little feet are at rest, and
prattlin. voices are hushed, and mothers
may sing their lulIuabies, and tell over
the oft-repeated stories. They don't know
their happiness then-those mothers L
didn't. All these things | called con-
fnement once.
A manly figure stands before me now.
He is taller than l, has thick, black whls-
kers, and wears frock coat, bosomed
shirt and cravat. He has just come from
college. He brings Latin and Greek IN
his countenancc, and busts Of the old phil
losophers for the sitting room. He calls
me mother, but I am rather unwilling to
own him.
He stoutIy declares that he is nay boy,