The home journal. (Winchester, Tenn.) 1858-188?, 1869-05-27
4 PAPA GOES THERE
By MRS. cARoLlNE e. souLr.

~ Wv" JO'n Y
Please say | may, won't you9'
The words were uttered in Q plain
tive and sadly entreating tone, the
hands Of the speaker clasping the
knees of the listener. f,5
1t was boy Of seven short years
who lisped them; beautiful boy, witt
fair, high brow, around which there
clustered glorious wealth Of auburn
curls, with dark flashing eyes, cheeks
vs.; ..s, .. ...A health, lips like the cherries
Of summer, and a voice like tue birds
which taste them. There were tears
in those eyes at this time, though, and
the dimpled mouth was quiyering.
Itwas a man of some five and thirty
years who listened to the plea; a mar
who had been of notle looks and
princcly bearing. Ah-had been! fol
the blighting truth was written ove'
form and face. His locks were matted
his forehead scowling, his eyes-red
but not with tears; there were furrows
on bis cheeks, too, and a british look
to the expression of bis lips. Twice
did the little boy address him ere he
answered-then, pushing the child
rudely from him, be said in a stern
voice,
"No, no. It's no place for YOU"
Again those fair small hands en-
circled the knees.
"You go, papa. Why can't I, too /?
Do let me CO."
For moment the heart of the in
eb.iate seemed to wake from its sleep,
and he took the child tenderly in his
arms and kissed him as OF old then
putting him down, he said in kind
tone:
"You must not ask me again to take
you there. 1t is no place for little
boys and seizing his hat, he hurried
from the room, murmuring to himself
as he paced the way to the brilliant bar
room, "and no place for men either.
Would to God had never gone"
For a long time Willie stood where
his father had left him; then turning to
the few embers which family glowed
upon the hearth, he sat down in his
little chair, and resting his head upon
his mothers lap, said earnestly:
"Mamma, why isn't that pretty store
a good place for little boys? Papa
loves to go there"
1t was trying question for the poor
heart broken woman. She had So far
kept from her son the knowledge Of
his sin. She could not bear that he
should look with shame upon him, or
that his gentle and pure heart should
thus commune with SO intense grief
Kindly she toyed with his long ringlets
for while, then said endearingly,
"Papa knows better than you what is
best for his little boy; when yon are
older you will learn why he does not
wish to take you"
Then rising, she carefully put her
baby down upon its little bed and put
Iou her hood and cloak. =.
"Mind the cradle now, Willie; I'll
come back soon, and then you shall
have some supper, and nice fire to
|sit by too" and taking q large basket
of ironed clothes, she went out
A wealthy mother would have been
scared to death at the idea of leaving
so small a boy at nightiall, all alone
with an infant to care for, and an open
fire to sit beside. But poor Mrs. NJ.
knew vel! she could trust Willie with
,his sister, and as for burning up, there
we're not Goals enough to thaw his blue
stiff fingers. No, she did not fear to
90 and leave lim, for he had thus been
LEFT many time, and always carefully
obeyed her.
And he meant to now but poor little
fellow, his thoughts would wander to
that brilliant corner store whittier he
knew bis father always went at evening,
and his brain was busy with eager
wonderings. lie knew his father loved
to go, and be knew there must be
something there he liked, tor he never
came home till long after Willie was
asleep. What lay behind these scarlet
curtains was mystery he sought in
vain to unravei. .> -
AT length he whispered eagerly as il
to encourage longing wish, "Papa
used to tell me, if ] wanted to know
anything very bad, to persevere and ]
would find it out. Now l do want to
know what makes him love to 60 there
so. ! know there must be some pretty
things behind those windows.
shouldn't wonder il it was like q fairy
house. Why can't / 60 p
Poor Willie! The temptation tc