The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1865-02-02
BOY LOST.


red checks, aud hair almost black aud
curly. He wore crimson plaid jacket,
with full trousers buttoued on; had hsb.
it of whistleiug; aud liked to ask ques-
tious; was accompanied by small black
dog. 1t is long while now since he dis
appeared have a very pleasant house
aud much company. My guests say,
"Ah! it is pleasant to be here. Every.
thing has such an orderly, put away look,
nothing about under foot, mo dirt"
Blu. my eyes are aching for the sight of
whittliogs and cut paper on the floor;
Of tumbled down card. houses; of wooden
sheep and cattle; Of popsuus, bows and
arrows, whips, tops, 60 carts, blocks and
trumpcry. | want to see crumbles on
the carpet, and paste spill, on the kitchen
table, want to see the chairs aud tables
turned the wrong way about. | want to
see candy making and corn popping, aud
to find jack knives and fish hooks among
NY muslius. Yet these things used to
fret me once. They say "How quiet
you arc here! All! one here may settle
his brains, and be at peace" But my
ears are aching for the patteriug of little
feet; for hearty shout, shr,ll whistle,
a gay ira la la; for the crack Of little
whips; for the noise Of drums, fifes aud
tin trumpets. Yet these things made
me nervous once
They say, "Ah! you have LEISURE
nothing to disturb you. What heaps of
sewing you have time for!' But long
to be disturbed l want to be asked for
bit Of string or an old newspaper; for q
I want to be coaxed for a piece of new
cloth for jibs aud mainsaiIs, and then to
hem the same want to make little
flags and bags to hold marbles want
to be followed by little feet all over the
house; teased for bit of dough for lit
tie cake, or to bake pie in saucer
Yet these things used to fdgct mo once.
They say, "Ah! you are not tied at home
How delightful to be always at liberty
for concerts lectures and parties! No
confinement for you" But | want con,
fncment. | want to listen to the school
bell mornings, to give the last hasty wash
and brush, and then to watch from the
window nimblc feet bounding away to
school / want frequent rents to mend,
aud to replace lost buttons. want to
obliterate mud stains, molasses stains and
paints Of all eoIors want to be sitting
by little crib Of evenings, when weary
little feet are at rest, aud pratling voices
are hushed, that mothers may sing their
lullabys, and tell over the oft-repeated
stories They don't know their happi-
ness then, those mothers; l don't All
these things called confincm once.
A manly figure stands before me now.
lie is taller than | has thick whiskers,
wears frock coat, bosomed shirt and
a cravat. He has just come from college
He brings Latin and Greek in his counte
nance, and busts of tho old philosophers
for the sitting room. He calls mo moth
er, but am rather unwilling to own him,
He AYERS that ho is my boy, and says
that he can prove it. He brings his lit
tie boat to show the red stripe on the sail
Git was the end of the piece) and the
name on the stern, Lucy Lowe, little
girl Of our neighbour, who, because Of her
long curls and pretty round face, was the
chosen favorte Of my boy. The curls
were long since cut off. and she has grown
to tall handsome girl How his face
reddens as he shows me the name on the
boat! Oh! I sec it all as plain as if it
were written in a book My little boy is
lost. and my big boy will soon be, Oh,
l wish he was little tired boy in long
white night gown, lying in his crib, with
me sitting by, holding his hand 10 mine,
pushing the long curls back from his fore
herd, watching his eyeids droop, and lis
teping to his deep breathing.
If only had my little boy again, how
patient would be! How much would
bear. and how little l would fret and
scold! can never have him back again;
but therc are still many mothers who
have not yet lost their little boys. |
wonder if they know they are liveng their
very best days, that now is the time to
reailv enjoy their children! think il l
had been more 10 my little boy, I might
now be more to my grown up one.-Home
! Mn1dzine.