, 1869-04-16
sIosr BoY.n

| LOST BOY.o
The following beautiful waif, which VI
dnd aaOat on the newspaper sea, we publish
being confident that it will repay a perusa
by all, and BY our lady friends in particular
he has black eyes, with long lashes, red
cheeks, aud hair almost black aud curly. He
wore crimson plaid jacket, with full trou,
sers buttoned on had habit Of whiting
aud likes to ask questions was accompanied
by asmall black dog. 1t is long time since
be disappeared. have very large house
and much company. Everything has such
an orderly, putavsy look-nOthiug under
foot--no dirt But my syes are aching Ior
the sight of whittlings and cut paper on the
floor; tumbled down card houses, Of wooden
cattle and sheep, Of pOpguns, bows and ar,
rows, whips, tops, go'carts, blocks and
trumpery.
want to see boats a-rigging, and kites a.
making. want to see crumbs on the car.
pets, and paste spilled on the kitchen table
| want to see chairs and tables turned the
wrong way about. want to see candy.
making and corn'popping, and to find jack.
knives and dsh>hooks among my muslins.
Yet these things used 10 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 hearty shout; for a shrill
whistle; for tra>ls-la for the crack of lit
tie whips for the noise of drums, 6fes and
tin trumpets.s Yet these things made me
nervous once.
They say "Ah you Lave leisure; moth.
ing to disturb you. What heaps of sewing
you have time for" But long to be dis
turbed. l want to be coaxed for a piece ot
new cloth for jbs or mainsails, and then tC
hem the same. | want to make little flags
and bags to hold marbles. want to be fol.
lowed by little feet all over the house; teased
for bit of dough for a little cake, or to
bake pie 10 a saucer. Yet they say: "Ah,
you are not tied at home. How delightful
to be OF liberty for concerts, lectures and
parties. No confinement for you" But l
want confinement. want to listen for the
school-bell mornings, to give the last hasty
wash aud brush, and then to watch from the
window nimble feet bounding away to school.
| want frequent rents to mend and TO re.
place lost buttons. want to obliterate mud
stains and paints of all colors want to be
sitting by little crib of evenings, when
weary little feet are at rest and prattling
voices are hushed, that mother may sing stoS
ries. They don't know their happiness then,
these mothers; | didn't
A manly figure stands before me now He
is taller than |, has thick whiskers, wears a
frock coat, bosomed shirt aud cravat. He
has just come from college. He brings Lat.
in 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. He AYERS that he is
my boy, and says that he can prove it. He
brings his little boat to show the red stripes
on the sail Gt was the end of picee) and
the name on the stern-Lucy Low, little
girl of our neighbors, who, because of her
curls and pretty round face, was the chosen
favorite of my boy.
The curls were long since cut of, and she
has grown up tall, handsome girl. How
his face reddens as he shows me the name
Of the boat. Oh l see it as plain as if it
were written in book, my little boy is lost,
aud is my big boy in long, white night
gown, lying 10 his crib, with me sitting by,
holding his forehead, watching bis eyelids
droop, and listening to his deep breathing.
If only had my little boy again, how
patient would be How much | would
bear and how little would scold l can
never have him back again; but there are
still many mothers who have not yet lost
their little boy. Iwonder if they know that
they are living their best days; that now
is the time to really enjoy their children |
think if had been more to my little boy, l
might be more TO ny grOWa up boy