The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1865-08-26

Ihey played "Post-ofice," and "Cedar
swamp" and "Forfeits," and all that sort OF
games, whose principal feature is IN abundance
OF kissing. / went into my study and began
writing. The merry bursts OF laughter came
echoing to my ears, but they did not disturb
me. / am fond father
One of the big girls came into my presence
and threw cushion up at my feet, on which
she kneeled, pouting up pair of red lips.
"Who is this ?" said |, laying down my pen.
sThat's Mary Annp cried Fred from the
doorway, which was thronged with giggling
spectators. "She wants you to kiss herr
@Ahl said |, as memory suddenly recalled
the old time. "How many can have ?''
"Twentyp ''Thirtyw "a hundred p cried
dozen voices.
3Well I'll take three" said /, sand YOU NAV
have the rest, Fredn
@Can't see itr slanged that hopeful, backing
off, saaie - .
The young lady struggled after the orthodox
manner, handed down from generation to GEN
Grafton of young ladies, and the children
screamed with delight.
Hold her, Mr.. Dobbt'
kiss her, Mr.. Dobbp'
The last was from Fred who had memories.
we LETT them alone at last. / don't believe
IN Old folks mtruding too much on the enjoy
ment OF the little ones They get along
great deal better by themselves. So Mrs. Dobb
shut the parl0r door and left them alone,
while i shut myself up in my study.
About half past nine went out and found
the guests had gone.
"Sallie was missing, but presently we found
her on the stairs crying bitterly.
Why what's the matter with my bird ?"
said | taking her in my arms
She was 10th to tell, but at last she sobbed
out that she had been kissed too much, and had
had har civ 1o1 1,v, hoo
in honor of her birthday usage, till she was
sore all over. Added to which one of the boys
had caught hold of her dress and torn it in
shocking manner.
She was soothed, and put to bed, and then
went into the parlor
Oh, spectacle for an economical parent NV
statuette of Senator Douglas-only cast,
but gift from the sculptor-had been knocked
over as it stood in a corner, and its head
broken of. There was deep scratch foot
long on the piano, and the music was one hid
eous daub of molasses candy from first to last.
A lamp had been tipped over on the Brussels
carpet and left great grease-spot in the mid
die OF the room. And, worst of ALL some am
bilious youngster had been at my paintings.
and had broken hole through the canvass OF
chUice landscape AN original Sontag, which
| valued highly. 5i45e M a5
"Oh, Susan Susanw cried, "behold the
havoc OF this economical soireeP' 1
Mrs. Dobb stood aghast at the spectacle.
"Can you compute this damage calmly ?"
asked.
But Mrs Dobb had no answer for me-
| got out pencil and piece of paper, and
made reckoning:
Beheaded Douglas, s25
Mutilated Sontag, 4#t 30
Molasses candy and other damages to pi-
ano and music, 1rt 10
Ruined carpet, FIJI fr 100
"a total, my dear, of $685."
II think you are axtravagant, James, said
my wife. "a little Spaulding's glue will put
the statutes head in place.'
"And then you could tie ared ribbon around
his neck to hide the crack, couldn't you dear ~
| said, in tone of intense irony. M s1 @
AS for the painting, seems to me you might
mend it in some way, James, since you make
those things yourself"
Those thingsl That's wife for an ar
tistn =
The piano and the music will see what
can do with; and as for the carpet, we can
get rug for the center of the room and the
spot viii never show"
Another expense, my DEAR"
James, have wanted a rug for that room
this long time. For my part / dent know as
Pm very sorry. At least, it can't be helped
now; and there are now no more birthdays in
the family this year,
Lets be thankful for that, then" says t.
lHarper's Weekly.