Juliet signal., 1863-07-07
PAPA GOES THERE.

'Msynt go with you, papa? PleaFe
say may go, won't you?'
These words were uttered in a plaintive
ana sadly entreating tone, the hands OF the
speaker claspIng the knees of the lstner.
1t was boy of seven years who lisped
them; q beautiful boy, with q fair, high
brow. around which there clustered q
wreath of auburn curls; with dark flashing
eyes; cheeks rosy with health; lips like the
cherries OF summer, and a voice like the
birds which taste them. There we're tears
In those eyes at this time though, and the
dimple mouth was quivering.
1t was man Of some five aud thirty who
had listened to this plea; man who had
been Of noble looks and princely bearing.
Aye, had been, for the blighting trtuh was
written over form and face. His locks
were matted, his forehead Sowing, his
eyes red, but not with tears; there were
burrows on his cheek, too; and british
expression on bis lips. Twice did the boy
address him ere he answered. Then push
ing the child rudely from him he said in
stern voice, NO, no, it's no place for
YOU
Again those fair email hands encircled
the knees.
You go, papa. Why can'tI tOO' Do
let me co.
For moment the heart of the inebriate
seemed to wake from its sleep. He shuG~
dered as the thought Of the character of
the place his pure souled boy would enter.
He took the child tendsrly in his arms and
kissed him as of old; then putting him
down he said kindly:
You must not ask me again to take you
there. 1t IS no place for little boys and
seizing his hat hurried from the room,
murmuring to himself as he paced the
way to the brilliant barroom, and no place
for men either. Would to God had never
gone
For long time Willie stood where his
father left him; then turning to the few
enters that family glowed upon the hearth
he sat down in his little chair, and resting
his head upon his mothers lap be said
earnestly:
Mamma. why isn't that pretty store
good place for little boys? PAPA loves to
! be there
1t was trying question for the pnor,
/ heart broken woman. She bad so far kept
from her son the knowledge of his fathers
sin. She could not bear that he should
look with shame upon him, or that his pure
| gentle heart should thus commune with so
intense grief. Kindly she t9yed with
his long riDglets, and then said endearing>
/ ":
Papa knows better than you what is
best for his little boy. When you get older
you will learn why he does not wish to
take you
Mind the cradle, Willie, I'll come back
soon, and then you shall have some sup
per, and nice fire to sit by, too and tax
/ in n ioFn hnS bot knf Il
went CUT A wealthy mother would have
been frightened at the thought of leaving
so young boy at night fall! alone with an
infant to care for, aud an open fire to sit
beside. But poor Mrs. M knew well
enough that she could trust Willie with his
sister, and as for burning ur, there was
not enough coal to thaw his blue stiff
fingers. No she did not fear to 90 and
leave him, for be had thus been left many
times. and be had always obeyed her.
And he meant to now; but poor little fel.
low his thoughts would wander to that
brilliant corner store, whittier he knew his
father went at evening; and his brain was
busy with eager wanderings. lie knew
his father always went Mt evening; aud he
knew there must be something he liked,
for he never came home again till after
Willie was asleep. What lay behind those
scarlet curtains was mystery be sought
to Guravel.
At length he whispered eagerly, as if to
encourage longing wish, Papa used to
tel! me if | wanted to know anything very
bad, to persevere, and / would find it out.
Now l want to know what makes him
love to 90 thore so. | know there must be
pretty things behind these windows. |
shouldn't wander-and his checks were
glowing-if it was like fairy house; why
cants go?
Poor Willie! The temptation to know
was too strong to he resisted; so he hunted
up candle, for lie was a thoughtful little
fellow, and would not leave bis little siste,
TO the only danger that could menace her
the fame might scare away the rats and
mice. should they sally out ere his return
i won't stay long, pretty DEAR said he
pressing a tender kiss N her sleeping lips
and drawing the blanket close over her
fair arms. No, Pll &C me back soon, but
do want to take one peep.
Swiftly his little feet bore him over tn,
pavements, and q trice be stood before To,
Gurtained door.
How light it is. and how they laugh ant
talk. 1t must all be very funny in there.
A cold, November blast swept arounC
the corner as he spoke, penetrating hi
flesh and causing his teeth to chatter.
don't believe they'd hurt me, if
should go in awhile I'm such little bo,
and am so cold bere.' he said as be push
ed the door carefully from, slipping in arC
: closing it without a breath of noise Fo
moment he was bewildered with tn
: light and clatter, and half wished he wa
away. But the warm air was grateful Il
bis limbs, and finding that no one seemed
to notice him, he stole towards the CLOWN,
: crate and spread out his purple hands be
fore the blaze. The group of men tha
encircled the bar were drinking when b.
entered. Soon, however, they sat dowI
. their glasses, and dispersed about tn
room.
Hello said one. in q loud tone, as goiul
to the fire he spied little Willie. 'Wha
are you doing here, my little fellow, VIII
are you, and what do you wantP
i don't want anything, only to see wha
: you do here. My name is Willie NJ
My papa loves to come here, and it looke
40 pleasant through the window though
= I'd like to. But must not stay long, fo
: I've left the baby alone
: And where is your mother, boy p
oh. she's gone to take home the wash
J., cir. PAPA DON'T have so much work as b
: used to once, and we're very poor now, an
= she has to help him.
And does it look as pleasant in her o
= you thought it would, my child?'
= oh. yes, it does, air. / don't wonde
4 papa loves to come here SO much. it's 6
dark and cold at home. But shoul
\ think he'd bring mana and me and littl
els. How she would laugh to see this fir
!. and all these pretty bottles: and those flow
a ers with lights in them. please sir an
4 he earnestly seized the rough hands of tn
|, listener, please sir, tell me why little boy
can't come here with their fathersl'
For Gods sake do not tell him. Ban
L crrnft.1 said de en- disnnisad unica