St. Cloud Democrat. [volume] (Saint Cloud, Stearns County, Minn.) 1858-1866, 1861-01-24
BOY LOST.

He had black eyes, with long lashes,
red cheeks, and hair almost black and al
most curly. He wore crimson plaid jack
ct, with full trousers, buttoned on. Had a
habit Of whistling and liked to ask ques-
tions. Was accompanied by small black
dog. It is a long while now since he dis
appeared: have very pleasant house
and much company. My guests say, 'Ah !!
it is pleasant to be here! Every thing
::::s :::s such an orderly, put1away look-noth-
ing about under foot, no dirt
But my eyes are aching for the sight of
whittlings and cut paper upon the floor;
of tumbied-lioo=s;::: ~: y: c1 ccrd houses; of wooden
sheeep and cattle; of pop-guns, bows and
arrows, whips, tops, go-carts, blocks and
trumpery. l 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 tables
and chars turned the wrong way about; I
want to see cand dy-making and corn-pop-
ping; and find jack-kuives and 6shhooks
among my muslins. Yet these thing used
to: fret me once.
They say-"How quiet you are here ;
ali one here may settle his brains and be
at peace" But my ears are aching for
the pattcring of little feet; for hearty
shout, shrill whistle, gay tra-la-la, for
the crack OF little whips, for the noise of
drums, flies 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 I long
to be disturbed; I want to be asked for a
bit Of string or an old newspaper; for a
cent to buy slate pencil or peanuts. !
want to be coaxed for piece Of new cloth
for jibs and mainsails, and then to hem the
same; I want to make little flags, and bags
to hold marbles. I want to be followed
by little feet all over the house; teased
for bit Of dough for little cake, or to
bake pie in saucer. Yet these things
used to 6d get me once! $780,.
They say-"Ah! you are not tied at
home. How delighted to be always at
liberty for concerts, lectures, and parties
no confinement for you" But I want
confinement; I want to listen for the
school bell morning; to give the last hasty
wash, and then to watch, from the win.
dow, nimble feet bounding away to school,
I want frequent rents to mend, and to re-
place lost buttons; I want to obliterate
mud stains, fruit stains, molasses stains
and paint Of all colors I want to be sit
ting by little crib of evenings, when
weary little feet are at rest and prattllne
voices are hushed, that mothers may sins
their lullabies, and tell over the oft-repeat
stories. They don't know their happines.
then-those mother I didn't. Al
these things I called confinement once.
A manly figure stands before me now
He is taller than I, has thick, black whis
kers, and wears frock coat, bosome1
shirt and cravat. He has just come from
college,. He brings Latin and Greek il
his countenance, and busts Of the old phi
losophers for the sitting rooms. He: call
me mother, but I am rather unwilling t,
own 1T.
He stoutly declares that he is my boy
and says he will prove it. He brings m,
a small pair of white trousers, with ga,
stripes at the sides, and asks if did no
make them for him when he joined tn,
boys militia? He says he is the yer,
boy that made the bonfire, too, near tn,
barn, so that We came near having a fir,
IN earnest. He brings his little boat II
fshow the red stripe on the sail Git ywasssh'
end Of the piece and the name on tn.