The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-02-17
boy Lost"

chcokS, and hair almost black and curly
Ho woro . crimson plaid jacket, with iull
trowsers buttonod on; had habit OF whist
ling, and liked TO ask questions was accom-
panied BY small black dog. Il is long
while now since he disappeared. have q
very pleasant house and much company. My
guests say, "Ah! it is pleasant " be here.
Everything has such an orderly, put-away
look-nothing about underioot-no dirt. !"
But my eyes are aching for the sight ol
whittlings and cut paper on the floor; OF
tumbled. down card-houses; OF wooden sheep
and cattle; of pop guns, bows and arrows,
whips, tops. go.carts, blocks and trumpery.
want to see boats a.rigging and kites o.
making. want to see crumbles on the car
pct, and paste split on the kitchen table I
want to SEQ tho chairs and tho tables turned
the wrong way about. want to SEQ candy
making and corn popping, and to find jack
knives and fish hooks among my musins.
Yot these things used to fret me once. They
say, "How quiet you are here! All one
here may settle his brains, md be Mt peace" +"
But my ears ore aching for the pattering Of
little feot; for hearty shout, o shrill whls.
tie, gay tra 10 Ia for the crack Of little
whips for the noise Of drums, 6fes, and tin
trumpots. Yet these things made me ner-
yous once. rtr-.
They say, "Ah you have 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 on
old newspaper; for cent TO buy o slate.pen'
Gil or peanuts. I want 10 be coaxed for q
piece Of new cloth for jibs and mainsails, and
then to hem tho same. ] want to make lit.
tie flags, and bags to hold marbles. l want
to be followed by little feet oil over the
house teased for q bit Of dough for little
cake, or to bake pie In q saucer. Yet these
things used to fdget me once. They say,
"Ah! you are not tied at homo. How do
lghtful to be always at liberty for concerts.
lectures, and parties! No confinement for
you" jpH . ~f'. ZIP ..~
But want confinement. I want to listen
for the school bell mornings, to give tho last
hasty wash and brush. and then 10 watch
from tho window, nimblc feet bounding away
to school. lwant frequent rents to mend,
and to replace lost buttons. Iwant to oblit-
crate mud stains. fruit stains, molasses stains
aud paints OF all colors. want to be sitting
by little crib Of evenings, when weary lit
tlo feet arc ut rest, and prattling voices hush.
cd. that mothers may sing their lullabys. and
tell over the oft repeated stories. They don't
know their happiness then, those mothers, ]
didn't. All these things called con6ne-
ment once.
A manly figure now stands before me. He
Is taller than |. has thick whskers, wears u
frock.coat, u bosom shirt, and cravat. Hs
has just come from college. lIo brings Latin
and Crock In his countcnancc, and busts oi
tho old philosophers for tho sitting room.
EIo calls mo mother, but am rather unwil.
ling to own him. lilo AYERS that he Is my
boy. and says that ho can prove It. He
brings his little boat 10. show the red stripe
on the sail (it was tho end Of tho piece) aud
tho name on the stern-Lucy Lowe, little
girl Of our ncighbor, who, because Of her
long curls and pretty round faco, was the
chosen favorite Of my boy. The curls were
long since cut of, and she has grown to q
tall handsome girl. How his face rcddens
as he shows me tho name Of tho boat! Oh +! l
zee IL all rs plain rs II Il wero written In q
book My little boy is lost, and my big boy
will soon Be-. Oh ! wish he were little
tired boy in long white nisht.gown, lying
in his crib, with mo sitting by holding his
hand in mine, brushing the curls back from
his forehead, Watching his eyelids droop, and
listening to his deep breathing.
III only had my little boy again, how pa.
tient would bc How much would bear
and how little would fret and scold can
never have him back again but there arc
still many mothers who have not yet lost
their little boys. ! wonder II they know
they nre living their very best days that
10 tho time to really enjoy their children !! 1
think II had been moro to my little boy, l
might now DO more to my grown.up one
Home Journal. 'a . = T.' 70ii ''