Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1869-01-27
CLEARFIELD, PA, WEDNESDAY, JANUARY o. 1862
NOBODY's BOY.

Everybody said what pity it was that the
Lanes had no children. MIS-. Lane was
such nice motherly lady; the shyest babe
never feared to go to her, and there was never
child that came under the influence of her
genial smile but what instinctively loved her
Mr.. Lane, too, was one of those men to
whom the endearing title of father is so easy
to speak. His always kindly face blossomed
out into smiles of rare tenderness whenever
his eye rested upon one of those miniature
men and women, and it seemed almost i'm
possible for him to pass one without giving
1t loving pat upon the head, or kindly
word and smile.
And then he was what the neighbors called
"a well to do man." Not rich, it is true,
but owning small, we'll cultivated farm,
stocked with fruit trees and berries of vari-
GUS kinds. and, best of all. near good mar
ket. This put him in possession of two
excellent things-an ample income and pleu-
ty to do.
But with all this hunger of the heart to
hear child prattle beneath their roof, with
all the appliances at their command to make
it such dear and happy shelter, ten years
of their married life passed. and no children
came to gladden. their hearts
Mr.. Larkin, over the way, had an abun-
dance of them though he had mortal
aversion of babies, and groaned in spirit
over every fresh instalment. Pat Shane S
little shanty was overfowing with them, a
rosy, rollicking set though hard work the
poor fellow found it to get ''pratees'' for so
many
But at last there were smiles and sly hints
among the neighbors, the boldest and most
familiar of them venturing upon little jokes
and congratulations, which were smilingly
received by those to whom they were directed.
And as the months wore away, quiet but i'm
portant preparations went forward at the
Lanes.
No young mother rejoiced more fervently
over the expected advent of her FIRST born,
than did this wife of ten years at the prom
Use of the babe for which she had long hoped
and PRAYED.
There was no end to the fashioning of
dainty robes and embroidered linen enough,
as Grandma Strong declared, who was ia
vorcd with a glimpse of the drawers, where
they lay nicely folded, ''for dozen babies"
One would not have supposed that the
young babe they laid upon her bosom could
have repaid the new-made mother for all
those nights aud days of anguish. when her
life hung upon thread but its first faint
cry, the pressure of its tiny form upon her
aroused in her heart gusE of joyful tender
ness that swept even its remembrance away.
1t was daughter, and they christened her
Ellen, after her maternal grandmother; but
?ecause of her fair and gentle look, her
ather called her Lily, and by that name
he always went.
She was a fair and winsome babe, sweet
md lovely child; almost worshipped by her
parents, and instinctively attracting towards |
Ter the hearts of all who saw her. She had |
Ter fathers kind heart and her mothers |
'enial, happy ten per, together with deeper
md more earnest feelings than were posses
ed by either. But what she was most noted |
or was her tender and sympathetic nature.
The was happy hearted child, making sun
hine and music wherever she went; but
id she see any one in pain OF trouble the
eDsitiye lips would tremble, and her large
rown eyes soften with look of deep and
arnest sympathy.
She was her father's idol, who could scarce
, bear to have her out of his sight Most
hildren would have been injured by love
} exclusive and engrossing
Every Thursday during summer and fall
lonths, Mr.. Lane went to market with some
roduct of his farm, and it was his delight
} have Lily go with him.
Theirs was not very splendid turnout, it
true, in comparison to the fine eauipages
ley met in the gay city, but little Lily was
) happy as queen, seated beside her father
the light easy wagon, painted bright
ue, and attached to the staid, dignifed
orse that had made the journey so often as
know the road as we'll as his master.
That it might be more meet for his dar-
lg, Mr.. Lane had exchanged the leathern ,
Ishions of the seat, which had done such
'od service for so many years, for those of
imson plush, to Lily's great satisfaction,
ho never failed to express her wonder and .
light at their beauty and softness when !
er she took a seat ON them
One Thursday, in the latter part of Au-
st, Mr.. Lane went to market with some !
rly pears and apples, attended by his usual
mpanion, whose white straw hat tied with !,
ue contrasted so prettily with the brown :,
rls and fair sweet face it shaded
Mr.. Lane had regular customers that were
ways glad to secure his choicest fruit, and -
,pping at one Of these, he left Lily alone :,
the wagon--whose office it was to hold the
ms and see that no one took undue liber- a.
S with the tempting contents of the bags q,
d baskets slowed in back. The former ~
S merely nominal, and the latter, for once,
E quite forgot. Her whole attention was
ected to furthering the attempts of Char a.
to rid himself of the flies that tormented
n, to the performance of which his stump h,
a tail seemed to be entirely inadequate; q.
that she did not notice the ragged bare
It boy who was standing on the side walk, h.