North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-05-29
VOL. 6 NO. AZ
"BOY LOST.

The following beautiful waif, which we
find afoat in the newspaper sea,wepubiish,
being confdant that it will well repay o Pc
rusai by all, and by our lady friends I'm
particular b..
ale has black eyes, with long lashcs,red
cheeks, and hair almost black, and curly.
He were crimson plaid jacket, with full
trousers buttoned on had habit of whist
ling, and liked to ask questions was ac-
companied by small black dog. Itisa
long time since he disappeared. I have
very pleasant house and much company
Everything has such an orderly put-away
look-nothing under foot-no dirt. But
my eyes are aching for the sight of whit
lings and cut paper on the floor oftum-
bled down card-houses; Of wooded cattle
and sheep, of popguns, bows and arrows,
whips, tops, go-carts, blocks and trumpery.
"I want to see boats a-rigging and kites
a-making. / want to see crumbles on the
carpets, and paste spilled on the kitchen
table. I want to see the the chairs and
tables turned the wrong way about. I
want to see candy-making aud corn-pop-
ping, and to find jack knives and fish hooks
among my rnuslins. Yet these things used
to fret me once. They say how quiet you
are here. All one may here settle his
brain and be at peace. But my ears are
aching for the pattering of little feet; for q
hearty shout for shrill whistle for
ira la la for the crack of little whips for
the noise of drums fifes and 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. / want to be coaxed for o
piece of new cloth for jibs or mainsails, and
then to hem the same. l 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
cake, or to bake pie in a saucer. Yet
they say, "Ah you are not tied at home
How delightful to be at liberty for con-
certs, lectures and parties. No confne-
ment for you" But want confinement.
l want to listen for the school.bell morn
ings, to give the last hasty wash and brush,
and then watch from the window nimble
feet bounding away to school. i want
frequent rends to mend, and to replace lost
buttons. want to obliterate mud stains,
and paints of all colors want to be sit
ting by little crib of evenings, when wea-
ry little feet are at res, and pratling voices
are hushed, that mother may sing stories.
They don't know their happines then,
these mothers didn't. All these things
called confinement once.
"a manly figure stands before me now.
He is taller than |, has thick whiskers,
wears frock scat, bosom shirt and era
vat. He has just come from college. He
brings Latin and Greek in his countenance,
and dust of the old philosophers from the
sitting room. He calls me "Mother," but
/ am unwilling to own him. NE AYERS that
hs is my boy, and says that he can prove
il. He brings his little boat to show the
red stripes on the sail (it was the end of O
piece,) and the name on the stern--Lucy
Low, little girl Of our neighbors, who, ba,
cause of her long curls and pretty round
face, was the chosen favorite Of my boy,
"The curls were long since cut of, and
she has grown mp tall, handsome girl
How his face reddens az he shows me the
name on the boat. Oh I see it as plain
as If it were written in book. Ny little
boy is lost, and my big boy, in long, white
night gown, lying IN his crib. with me sit
ting by, holding his forehead. watching his
eyelids droop, and listening. to his deep
breathing.
"If only had my little boy again, how
patient I would be How much I would
bear and how little would scold / can
never have him back !; but there are still
many mothers who have not yet lost their
little boy. wonder if they know they
are living their very best day that now is
the time really to enjoy their children /!
I think if had been more to my little boy
I might be more to my grown up son."