The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1860-12-20
BY A MOTHER.

How cross was! thought of it all the
time was talking to the little fragile creature
whose lips had made those few simple requests
l might so easily have granted, had [ only so
willed. A slight little lily of the valley sort
of child she was, needing all the protection
and care nature had afforded her; one who low
ed to nestle i'll the thick green leaves of par
entail affection, and hidden there, asking little
else.
sit is so cold in the nursery, mamma and
John hasn't got the stove up, yet; | will be sc
still if you will let me sit here by you?"
"Puta shawl about you" / answered; "there
is no stove here either, and am sure it's not
cold anywhere this morning.
The little girl left her seat and went to the
window Her fee was very wistful in its ex.
preston, and her unsatisfed look wandering uE
at the sky, filled with its dreary gray clouds,
to the tress on the lawn swayed by the chilly
north wind, then away to the right, where she
could catch glimpses of the lake, with its white
crested waves rushing wildly in shore. L
,oas cold, acknowledged it TO myself as
watched her standing there, but did not adj
NIT it to her.
Gould you let me have one of the baby,s
slips, mamma, to put on my dolg l won't
tear it,
How absurd you are, Agnes Don't make
such foolish request your doll, I'm sure has
enough clothes of her own"
Il love to have her look like your baby, imam
ma
"Dont tease me any longer, child cant
furnish your doll and baby from the same
wardrobe-that is quite settled"
''Well, may Puss tell story to mel"
| .Puss has the baby to attend to, and can't
tell you stories, Agnes. Go get your sewing,
and sit down in the nursery, or do what you
| ~ Init do
any more"
She fingered a moment longer twisting the
ends of her blue sash in h er little fingers; then
went out of the room, closing the door so gently
behind her, l scarcely knew of her exit.
A little after thls,l rose and went to the win.
dow. l can see the trees now,just as they were
that morning; and the gray sky and the gray
lake, see them, too, and feel the biting Oct
air which made my little daughter declare il
was so cold.
AS looked from the tall window, / saw
crossing the lower part OF the garden, old Bart
lemy Boyd. His gray hair blew about over
his haggard face, half concealing his bloodsho
eyes and mumbling lips. / thought he seemed
more wild in manner than was usual and won
dered what occurred to excite him. Generally
| regarded as perfectly harmless he was permit
ted to go atslarge about the town; choppine
wood, running of errands, and picking up Al
honest penny in what ever useful way he could
Little children loved him. His entertaining
stories, his merry songs, his vivid pictures o
sea life, drawn from his own sailor experience
of many years, drew to him all the little ones
and though when saw them clustered around
him, / more than half doubted the prcpriety
of permitting them thus to trust a half crazeC
old man, disliked to be the first to draw my
own child from the innocent little circle which
gave the poor old man much delight.
! To my little Agnesihe often brought the white
lilies from the distant pond; the roses from the
rocky hills and the rich hearted daises from the
low meadows The love of flowers with her
amounted to passion; and her little year old
heart could not be mace TO leap with, a greater
joy than when permitted to go by herself gath
| ering these precious crumbs from the table OF
| our Lord.
Her favorite walk, when suitably attended,
| had always been to the summit of the Black
Rock. lofty crag which rose preciE itately
from the lake and joined the level ground by a
steepand rough descent on the shore side On
the summit of the crag grew many sweet
herb and wild flower, which Agnes knew and
loved; and being child possessed of no fear
of nature. she was wont to venture on the Very
edge of the fearful precipice in search of any fa-
vorite blossom. maintaining her fearless de-
meanor and that calm forgefulness of danger
which seems the sole prerogative of the sum-
nambulist.
AS said before. was cross that morning.
| felt chat had been more childish than my
child herself AS the wind grew wilder and
the sky more dark, | began to long for the little
ones prattle, and to regret having banished
her from my morning room with its soft, south.
| ern aspect and luxurious appurtenances, to the
Chilly loneliness of some other part of the
house, with only her doll for company. Invent
to my door aud called her name softly. | had
some oak burrs and scarlet berries in my Ia
BILE drawer I wished to offer her. ''Agnes!"
called again, softly. There came no answer.
thought then it was my own CONSCIOUSNESS
of having left undone these things which
onght to have done tor my little girls amuse
ment and pleasure, which sent that sharp pair
through my heart, as leaving my own door un
closed, / ran rapidly up stairs. never dream
ed of regarding it as foretaste of those fierce
pangs which were to henceforth fill heart ant
brain and bring me here-here!
"Agnes!' l called again.
l can hear my own voice today as it cam
unanswered back to me through the silen
rooms. The nurse opened the door and looke'
out.
."Haye you seen Agnes, Puss?"