The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-02-21
MISCELLANY.
& Bow Lost,


lie had black eyes, with long lashes, red
cheeks, and hair almost black and curly. He
Wore a crimson plaid Jacket, with full trousers
Duttoned on; had habit of whistling, ana
liked to ask questions; was accompanied by
small black oog. IL is a long while now Since
he disappeared. | have very pleasant
house, and much company. My guests say
"Ah! IT Is pleasant To be mere; everything
has SUCH an orderly, put-away looK-nothlng
about under ioot-no dirt But my eyes are
aching for The sight of WRITINGS and cut pa
per on the floor; OF tumbled down cardhouses
ofwooden sheep and cattle; OF pop-guns, bows
and arrows, whips, tops, go-carts, blocks, and
trumpery. want to see crumbles on the car
pet, and paste split on the kitchen table. 1
want 10 see the chairs and the tables turned
the wrong way about. | want to sea the can
+ dy making and corn-popping, and to una JACK
knives and llshhooks among my musiIls. ct
tnese things used 10 fret me once. lhey say,
"How quiet you are herel An one may set
tie his brains. and be at peace" But my ears
are achlng for the pattering of little feet; Tor
hearty shout, a shriIl whistle, gay ira Ia la !;
for the crack Of little whips for the noise OF
drums, and tin trumpets. Yet, these things
made me nervous once.
They say, "Ahl you have leisure-nothing
to disturb you. What heaps of sewing you
have time forr' But long to be disturbed.
L
newspaper for cent to buy slate-p epcii
or peanuts. want to be coaxed for a piece
Of new cloth Tor jibs and mainsails, and then
TO hem the same. l want to make little flags
and bags to hold marbles. | want to be fol-
lowed by little feet all over the house, leased
for bit Of dough for little cake, or to bake
pie In saucer. Yet, these things used to
Midget me once. They say "Ahl you are not
tied at home. How delightful to be always at
liberty for concerts, lectures, and parties No
confinement Tor you" But want cenfne-
ment. want to listen to the school-bell
mornings, to give the last hasty wash and
brush, and then to watch from the window
nimble feet bounding away to school. want
frequent rents to mend, and to replace lost
buttons. want to oblitarate mud stains, mo-
lasses stains, and paints OF all colors. | want
{ TO be sitting By little crib of evenings, when
weary little feet are at rest, and pratting
voices are hushed, that mothers may sing
their lullabys, and tell over the ofC.repeated
stories. They don't know their happiness
then, those mothers; don't. All these things
called confinement once.
a manly figure stands before me now He
IS Ialler than L, has thick whiskers, wears a
frock coat, bosomed shirt, and a crayat He
has just come from college. He brings Latin
and Greek in his c0untenance, and busts of
the old philosophers for the sitting ROOM He
CallS nc uOlitSI, Out 4 am raLnef unwilling 10
own him. He AYERS that he is my boy, and
says shat he can proyeit. de brings his little
boat to show the red stripe on the sail lit was
the end OF the piece) and the name on the
stern, Lucy Lowe, little girl of our leighbor,
who, because Of her long curls aud pretty
round face, was the chosen favorite ofmy bow,
The curls were long since cut of, and she has
grown to tall handsome girl. How his face
reddens as he shows me the name on the boat.
Oil see it all as plain as ii twsle written
IN q book. My little boy is lost, and nv bic
boy will soon be. Oh, wish he were a little
tired boy in a long white night gown, lying in
his crib, with me sitting by, holding mis- hand
in mine, pushing the curls back RON his FORE
head, watching his eyelids droop, and listen
ing TO his deep breathing.
Ii only had my little boy again, how pa.
tieEt would be! How much i would bear.
and how little l would fret and scold! | can
never have him back again; but there arc
many mothers still who have not yet lost their
little boys. wonder if they know they are
living their very best days; that now is the
time to really enjoy their children! [ think
II 1 had been more to nay little boy, I might
now be more to my grown up one.-Home
Magazine. =, -.ass,'ss