Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1865-03-31
Misetilanenus.
Boy Lost.

He had black eyes. with long lashes,
red cheeks, and hair almost black and
curly. He wore a crimson plaid jacket,
with full trowsers buttoned on; had a
habit of whistiing, and liked to ask qucs-
tions was accompanied by small dog.
II is long while now since he disappear
cd. | have very pleasant house, and
much company. My guests say "Ah
tits pleasant to be here. Everything
has such an orderly,put-away Iook-noth-
ing about under foot-no dirt" But my
eyes arc aching for the sight of Writings
and cut paper on the floor, of tumblcd
down card houses; Of wooden sheep and
cattle; of pop.guns, bows and arrows,
whips, tops, go-earts, blocks, trun-pery.-
lgwant 10 see crun,hles on the carpet.
and paste split on the kitchen table. L
want to see the chairs and the tables
turned the wrong way about. | want to
zee the candy making and corn popping,
aud to find iack-knives and fish, hooks
among my maslins. Yet these things
used to fret me once. They say, "liow
quiet you are here ! All. one may settle
lis brains, and be ct pence But my
ears are aching for the pattering Of little
feet /; for hearty shout, shHil whistle,
a gay ira la la !; for the crack of little
whips, for the noise of drums, and tin
tsumpets. Yet, these things made me
nervous once.
They say, "Ah! you hive leisure
nothing to disturb you. What heaps Of
sewing you have time for. But | long
to be disturbed. | want to be asked for
bit Of string or an old newspaper-for
cent to buy slate-pcncil Or peanuts
want TO be coaxed for piece Of new
cloth for jibs and mainsails, and. then to
liem the same | want TO make little
flags and bags to hold marbles. l want
to be followed by &ittle feet all over the
house, teased for bit of dough for a
little cake, or to bake a pie in a saucer.
Yet, these things used TO fdget me once
They say "Ah! you are not tied at
home. How delightful to be always at
liberty for concerts, lectures. and parties !!
Nc. confinement for you" But l want
confinement. l want to listen to the
schoolsbell mornings, to give the last
hasty wash and brush and then to watch
from the window nimble feet bounding
away tolschool. / want frequent rents
to mend, and to replace lest buttons. l
want to obliterate mud stains, molasses
stains, and paints Of all colors. l want
to be sitting by little crib evenings,
when weary little feet are at rest, and
prattlins voices are hushed, that mothers
may sing tAeir lullabys, and tell over the
II repeated stories. They don't know
their happiness then, those mothers l
don't. All these things l called cou6ue-
&ent once.
A manly figure stands before me now.
lie is taller than l, has thick whiskers,
wears fheak caat, bosomed shirt, and
d cravat. He has just come from COL
lege. He brings latin and Greek in his
countcnance, and busts of the old poiloso-
piers for the sitting room. He AYERS
that he is my boy, and says that he can
prove it. He brings his little boat to
show the red stripes on the sail lit was
the end of the piece) and the name on the
stern, Lucy Love, little girl of our
neighbor, who, Because of her long curls
and pretty round face, was the chosen
fayorite Of my boy. The cayls were long
since cut off. and sac has grown to a tall,
handsome girl How his face reddens as
he shows me the name on the boat. Oh!
/ see it all as plain as if it were written
IN 4 book. My little boy is lost, and my
big boy will soon be. Oh, l wish he
we're little tired boy in a long white
night gown, lying in his crib, with me
sitting by, holding his haLd in mine,
pushing the curls back from his forehead.
watching his cyclids droop, and listening
TO his deep breathing.
;. IF only had my little boy again, how
patient would be How much l would
bear, and how little would fret and
scold can never have him back again
but there are many others still who have
not yet lost their little boys. | wonder
II they know they are living their very
best days that now is the time to really
enjoy their children! l think if l had
been more TO my little boy, l might be
more to my grown up one.-Home