The Potter journal. [volume] (Coudersport, Pa.) 1857-1872, 1863-04-22
"Papa Goes There.o

p4oJ ~ tSh JVuj PoRo' iSoSS
say l may 60, won't you 7"
These words were uttered in a plain
tive and sadly entreatinS tone, the hands
of the speaker clasping the knees of the
listener.
Il was boy of seven years who lisped
them beautiful boy, with fair, high
brow, around which there clustered a
glorious wreath of auburn curls; with
dark flashing eyes; cheeks rosy wish
health lips like the berries of summer,
and voice like the birds which taste
them. There were tears in those eyes at
this time, though, and the dimpled mouth
was quirering. (..ts.F Fss.F
1t was a man of some Eve and thirty
who had listened to his plea man who
had been of noble looks aud prlncely bear
ing. Aye, had been, for the blighting
truth was written over form and face.
His locks were matted, his forehead
scowling, his eyes red, but not with tears ;
there were furrows on his cheek, too, and
british expression on his lips. Twice
did the little boy address him ere he an
swered. Then pushing the child rudely
FROM him, he said, in stern voice, mo,
no, it's no place for you"
Again those fair small hands sncircled
the knees.
"You 90, papa. Why can't 1 too7 Do
let me go?"
For moment the heart of the inchri-
ate seemed to awake from its sleep. He
shuddered as he thought of the character
of the pace his pure-souled boy would
enter. He took tho child tenderly in his
arms and kissed him as of old then put
ting 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 hai he hurried from the
room, murmuring TO himself as he paced
the way to the brilliant bar. room, sand
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 embers that family glowed upon the
hearth, he sat down in his little chair,
and resting his head upon his mothers
lap, he said earnestly:
"Nlamma, why ISM that pretty store a
good place for little toys? Papa loves
to be there"
1t was trying question for the poor,
heart broken woman. She had kept so
far from her SOD the knowledge of his
fathers sin. She could net bear that he
should look with shame upon him, or that
his pure and gentle heart should thus
commune with so intense griof. Kind
ly she toysd with his long ringlets, fer
while, then said endearingly:
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"
Then rising, she carefully put down
her little one upon its bed, and put on
her hood and cloak
"Mind the cradle, Willie, I'll come
back soon, and then you shall have some
supper and nice fire to sit by, too" and
taking large basket of iroued clothes she
went cut. A wealthy mother would have
been frightened at the thought of leaving
so young boy at nigbt.fall alone, with an
infant to care for, and an open freside to
sit beside. But poor Mrs. NJ knew
well enough that she could trust Willie
with his sister, and as for burning up,
there was not enough coal to thaw his
blue, stiff fingers No she did not fear
to 90 aud leave him, for he had thus been
lief: many a time, and he had always
obeyed her. And he meant to now; but
poor little fellow his thoughts would
wander to that brilliant corner store,
whittier he knew his father wentat ever-
ing; and his brain was busy with eages'
wanderings. He knew his father always
went asevening; and he knew there must
be something he liked for he never came
home again till long after Willie was
asleep. What lay behind those scarlet
curtains was mystery he sought to un
ravel.
At length he whispered eagerly, as if
to encourage a longing wish, Papa used