The Portland daily press., 1865-05-05
PORTLAND. FRIDAY MORNING. MAY s. 1866

games, whose principal feature Is an abun
dance of kissing, went into my study ani
began writing. Their merry bursts of laugh
ter come echoing to my ears, but they did no
disturb me. am fond father.
One Of the big girls came into my angus
presence and threw cushion at nay feet. OF
whi h she knelt, pouting up at me pair o
ripe red lips.
who's this p said I, laying down INV pep.
'That's Mary Annp cried Fred from th,
doorway, which was thronqed with gigelins
little spectators. She wants you TO kisI
her,
'AnF said l, as memory suddenly recalled
the old-time game. How many can have
'TwentyP 'ThirtyP "A hundredp cried !,
dozen voices
Well, I'll take three, said /, and you ma,
have the rest, Fred
Can't see It'll slanged that hopeful, backing
The young lady struggled after the ortho
oox manner, handed down from generation tc
generation Of young ladies, and the children
screamed with delight.
Hold her, Mr.. Dobbp
Kiss her, Mr.. Dobbp
hub her nose with your whiskers papap
Ihat last was from Fred, who had memo
ries.
we left them alone at last. don't believe
IN old folks intruding too much on the enjoy
ment Of the little ones. They get along a
great deal merrier by themselves. So Mrs.
Dobb shut the parlor door and left them
alone, while shut myself up in my study.
About half-past nine went out and found
our little guests had gone.
Sallie was missing, but we presently found
her on the stairs in the hall crying bitterly.
Why, what Is the matter with my bird p
said |, taking her into my arms.
She was 10th to tell, but at last she sobbed
out that she had been kissed too much, and
had had her six years pounded on her little
back, in honor Of 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.
On, spectacle for an. economical parent
My statuette Of Senator Douglas cast.
but gift from the sculptor-had been knock
ed over a. 1t stood In corner, and its head
broken short of. There was deep scratch q
loot long on the piano, and the music was one
hideous daub Of molasses candy from first to
last. lamp had been tipped over on the
Brussels carpet and left grease-spot in the
middle of the room. And worst of all. some
ambitious youngster had been at my paintings.
and had broken hole through the canvas Of
choice landscape-an original Sontag, which
Ivalued highly.
'Oh, Susan Susanp cried, behold the hay
oc Of this economical soireep
Mrs. Dobb stood aghast at the spectacle.
Can you compute this damage calmly ?" I
asked. tA9- aN as
But Mrs. Dobbs had no answer for me. s.
l got out pencil and a piece Of paper, and
made a reckoning.
Beheaded Douglas, $25 Y
Mutilated Sontag, sssa 80 4
Molasses candy and other damages to
piano and music, 81 ~ 10
Ruined carpet, 100
"A total, my dear, Of $685.
4 think you are extravagant, James, said
my wife. "A little Spaiding's glue will put the
statues head in place. s4
And then you could tie red ribbon around
his neck tohide the crack, could d'nt you, dear p
l said, in tone OF intense irony.
As for the painting, seems to me you might
mend 1t in some way, James, since you make
those things yourself,
Those thingsl That's a wife for an ar
tistr
The piano and music will see what can
do with and as for the carpet, we can get
rug for the centre Of the room, and the spot
will never show
Another expense, my DEAR
James, I've wanted rugfor that room this
long time. For my part, I don't know as Pm
very sorry. At least, it can't be helped now I;
and there are now no more birthdays in the
family this year.
Let us be thankful for thai, then,' said L.
Hdrper's Weekly.
n y