Delaware State journal and statesman., 1867-11-22
BOY LOST.


uo had black eyes with long lashes, red
choeks and hair almost black and almost
cnrlv. He wore crimson plaid Jacket
Nth lnll trowsers, buttoned on. Had ahabil
of whistling, and liked 10 ask questions
wos accompanied by a small dog. 1t is a
,orc while now since he disappeared.
hoye A very pleasant house and much COM
nony. NV guests say, "Ahl il is pleasant
herel Everything has an orderly put away
,ook-nothing about under feet, no dirtl"
But my eyes were aching for the sight OF
writings and cut paper upon the hoor; of
tnmble.down card houses; OF wooden sheep
and cattle; OF pop guns, bows and arrows,
whips, tops, go,cArts, blocks and trumperY
I want to sec boats a-ngging and carts a.
making. crumbles on the carpet, and paste
snilt ON the kitchen table. want 10 see the
chairs and tables turned wrong way about
want to see the candy making and corn-
poppng, and 10 find jaclS-kniyes and fish
hooks among my muslins; yet those things
used to fret me once.
They say-"IIow quiet you are here; all
one here may settle his brains aad be at
ueace.r But my ears are aching for the pat
tering of little feet; for hearty Shout,
raw i'm. la, Ia, for the crack of little whips,
ior the noise of drums and flies and tin
trumpets; yet those things made me nervous
once.
They say-1Ahl youhaye leisurc--nothing
10 disturb you: what heRps of sewing you
Al. c,y int 1niaU n In naked
for a bit of string or an old newspaper, for a
cent to buy slate pencil or peanuts want
io be coaxed for piece OF cloth for iibs or
mainsails, and then to hem the same: ! want
10 be followed by little feet all over the house;
tcased for a bit OF dough for little cake OF
10 bake pic in saucer. Yet those things
used to Gdget me once.
They say--"Ahl you arc not tied at home.
How delightful TO bc always at liberty to go
to concerts, lectures, and paylies; no conline-
mcnt for you" But want coniinemenli l
want to listen for the schoOl-bell mornings,
TO rive the last hasty wash and brush, and
then TO watch, from the window, nlmble feet
bounding to school. want frequent rents
to mend, and to replace lost buttons; want
deliberate mud stains, fruit stains, and paints
of all colors want TO he sitting hy little
crib OF evenings, when weary feet arc at
rest, and prattling voices are husheu, thal
mothers may sing their lullabies, and tell
over the Oft repeated stories. They don't
know their happiness then-those mothers
didn't. All these things called eonhnt-
ment once.
A manly figure stands before me now
lie is taller than /, has thick black whlskers,
and wears II frock coat, bosomed shirt, ana
crayat He has Just come from college
He brings Latin and Greek in his counte-
nance, and busts of the old philosophers for
the sittingroom. He calls me mother, but
am rather unwilling 10 own HIM
lie stoutly declares that he is my boy ana
says that he will prove it. He brings me
small pair of trousers with gay stripes Mt tie
sides, and asks me if didn't make them for
him when he joined the boys militia? lie
says lie IS the very boy, too, that made the
bonfire near the barn, so that we came near
having fire in earnest. lie brings his little
boat TO show the red stripe ON the sail VI
was the end OF the picce), and the name on
the stern-"Lucy Iowa little girl OF our
nclghborhood, who, because of her long
curls and pretty round face was the chosen
layorite of my little boy. Her euris were
long since cut of, and she has grown up 10
beatall, handsome girl. How the red comes
to his face when he shows me the name on
the boat.
OH sec 1t all us plain as il it were writ
ten in Il book. My little boy is lost, and my
big boy will be- Oil wish he were litll'
tired boy in n long white night-gown, lynn
IN his crib, with me sitting by, holding HI
hand in mine, pushing the curls back IRON
his forehead, watching his oyelids droop
and listening 10 his deep breathing
If had only my little boy again, hoy
happy would bel How much would bcai
and how little would fret and scoldl l ca
never have him back again, but there ar
still many mothers who havn't yet lost thel
little boys. wonder If they know the
are living their very best days; that now
the time really to enjoy their childrens
think If had been more TO my little boy,
might now be more to my grown-up boy.