The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1865-03-09
ROY LOST.

He had black eyes, with long lashes,
rcd cheeks. and hair almost black and
curly. He wore a crimson plaid jack
ct, with full trousers buttoned on had
a habit Of whistling, and liked TO ask
questions; was accompanied by q
small black dog. It's a long while now
since he disappeared. l have very
pleasant house ndmueh company Ny
guests say, "Ah! it is pleasant to be
here. Everything has such an order
ly, put-away look.-nothing about M
derfoOt,-nO dirt But my eyes are
aching for the sight of WRITINGS and
cut paper on the floor; Of tumbled.
down card honses, of wooden sheep
and cattle Of pop guns, bows and ar
rows. whips, tops, ko-carts, blocks and
trmnpery | want 20 see boats q
rigging and kites a-maling l want
to see erumbles on the carpet. and
paste split on the Kitchen table. !
want TO see the chairs aud The tables
turned the wrong way about. want
to see candy-makiny and corn pop
ping, and TO find jaci; knives and Ash.
hooks among my muslins. Yet these
things used 10 fret me once. They sag.
How quiet you are here! All one
here may settle bis brains, and be at
peace" But my cars are aching for
the pattering Of lille feet for hearty
shout. a shrill whistle. Il gay ira ia Ia /;
for the crack Of little whips; for the
noise OF drums, flies and lin lrumpets.
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" Hut I
longod to be disturbed. l want to be
asked for bit Of string or an old
newspaper; for o cent to bay slate
pencil or peanuts. | want 10 be coax.
cd for piece of new cloth for jiJs
and mainsaiIs, and 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 a bit Of dough for little cake, or
to bake pic in saucer. Yet these
things used to fidgct me once. 1hey
say, "Ah! are you not ted at home.
How delightful 10 be always at liber-
tY for concerts, lectures and parties
No confinement for you" But !
want to listen for the school bell
mornings, to give the last hasty wash
and brush, and then to watch from
tho window nimble feet bounding
away to school. / want frequent rents
to mend, and to replace buttons.
want to obliterate mud-stains. fruit.
stains, molasses stains, and paint oi
all colors. | want TO be sitting by a
little crib of evenings, when weary III
tie feet are at rest, and pratting yoic.
cs are hushed, that mothers may sing
their luIlabys, and tell over the oft.re-
peatcd stories. They don't know
their happiness then, those mothers; l
didn't. All these things / called con
finement once.
A manly figure stands before me
now. He is taller than |, has thich
whiskers, wears frock coat a bosom
ed shirt, and a cravnt. He has JUS
come from college. He brings Iatir
and Greek in his countcnancc, and
busts OF the old philosophers for the
sitting room. lie calls me mother, bu'
Lam rather unwilling to own him
, He AYERS that lie is my boy, and say
that he can prove it. lie brings hi,
little boat TO show the red stripe OF
the sail (it was the end of the piece
and the name on the STERN. Lucy
Lowe, a little girl of our neighbor
who, because of her long curls am
= pretty round face, was the chosen ia
: vorito of my boy. The curlS wer,
long since cut of, and she has grow
to q tall, handsome girl. How hi
face reddens rs he shows Inc the name
: on the boat! Oh l see it all as plail
as if it We're written in a book. Ny
i, little boy is lost, and my big boy will
}. soon be. Oh, ! wish he were a It'll
S tired boy in a long white nlght-gown
1 lying in his crib, with me sitting by
1 holding his hand in mine, pushing tn
| curls back from his forehead, watch
= ing his eyelids droop, and listening t,
4 his deep breathing.
III only had my little boy again
how patient l would bear, and hoy
little | would fret and scold l cal
@ never have him back again
t but there are still many mothers whit
S have not yet lost their little boys
!. wonder if they know they are livin!
G their very best days; that now is tn
!, time to really enjoy their children !
: | think il had been more to my lit
tie boy, l might now be more to m,
S grown up onc.-Home Magazine.
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