The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1861-02-06
From the waverly Magazine

IVY AIVSs'
He had black eyes, with long lashcs, rdd
checks, and hair almost black, and almost
curly. He wore crimson plaid jacket,
with full trowsers buttoned on. Had a
habit Of whistling and liked 20 ask ques-
tons. Was accompanied with small black
dog. 1t is long while now since he dis.
appeared. I have q very pleasant house
and much company. NV guests say, "Ah,
it is pleasant here. Everything has much
Of an orderly put away look-noth,ng about
under foot, no dirt"
But my eyes are aching for the sight oI
whittlings and cut papers upon the Aoor, ot
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 rigging, and kites q
making. l want to see crumbs on the car.
pet, and paste split on the kitchen table,
want to see the chairs and tables turned
the wrong way about; want to see candy.
making and corr. popping; and to find jack.
knives and fish.heoks among my muslin;
these things used to fret me- once.
They say-"Ah! you have leisurc--noth.
ing to disturb you; what heaps of sewing
you have time for" But long to b. ask.
ed for bit Of string or an old newspaper:
for cent to buy slate pencil or pea nuts.
I want to be coaxed for piece Of new cloth
for jibs or mainsails, and then to hem the
same; 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
dough for little cake. or to bake pie in a
saucer. Yet these things used to fidgst me
once.
They say--"Ah! you are not tied at
home. How delightful always to be at lib
erty to 60 t. concerts, lectures and parties:
no confinement for YOU
But want confinement; | want to listen
for the school bell, mornings; to lgive tn,
last hasty wash and brush, and then to
watch from the window, nimbl. feet bound.
ing to school. want frequent rents to
mend, and replace lost buttons; I want to
oblteratc mud stains, fruit stains, and paint
Of all colors; | want to be sitting by little
crib of evenings, when weary little feet are
at rest, and prattling voices arc hushed,
that mothers may sing their lullabys, and
tell over the oft repeated stories. They
don't know their happiness then those
mothers. I didn't. All these things were
confinement once.
A manly figure stands before me now -
He is taller than I, has thick black whis.
kers, and wears frock coat, bosomed shirt
and cravat. He has Just come from COL
lege. He brings Latin and Greek in his
counte nance--and busts Of the old philoso.
piers for the sitting room. He calls me
mother, but | am rather unwilling to own
him.
He stoutly declares he is my boy, and
SAYS he will prove it. He brings me small
pair of white trowsers, with gay stripes at
the side, and asks me if didn't make them
for him when he joined the boys militia
lie says he is the very boy, too, that made
the bonfire near the barn, so that VIC came
very near having a fire in earnest. He
brings his little boat to show the red strip.
on the SAIL Gt was the end of the piece, }
and the name on the stern-"Lucy Law
little girl Of the neighborhood, who be-
cause of her curls and pretty round face,
was the chosen favorite Of my little boy
Her curls were long since cut off, and she
has grown to be tall handsome girl. How
the red comes to his face when he shows me
the name on the boat. Oh! I see it all as
plain as if it were written in book. NV
little one is lost, and my big one will soon
be. Oh! If he were little tired boy in a
long white night gown, lying in a little crib.
with me sitting by, holding his hand in
mine. pushing his curls back from his fore
head, watching his cyelids droop, and list
ening to his deep breathing.
If I had only my little boy again, how
patient | could be! How much I could
bear, and how little would fret and scold.
| can never have him back again; hut there
are still many mothers who haven't vet lost
their little boy. Iwonder il they are liv
ing their best days; that now is the time to
really enjoy their children! I think if |
hal been more to my little boy might now
he more to my grown np one.