The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1871-12-07

son berries, wild beasts, rattlesnakes,
death in some form seemed inevitable If
they did not find the wanderer soon
Grown.up people had been known to
wander day after day in these very
woods, quite near their own homes yet
unable to find their way. In the mean
time papa strobe rapidly onward, sur.
prised at each turn in the road that the
precious little figure of his darling did
not appear. How far he had travelled in
so short a timel His eyes pierced right
and left, yet it seemed improbable that
the child would leave the easy path for
one made difficult by rank growth OF
underbrush.
All there was the little fellow now,
thank Heaven bareheaded, and with
his little red cart over his shoulder. But
he was in trouble. Travelling hcedlessly
through muddy spot in the road, his
shoes had become uldened with the
heavy black muck, and one little shoe
had stuck fast. He was crying. Papa
made haste to his assistance. He rescued
the little shoe from the mire, and sat
down beside his little boy upon fallen
tree-trunk, cleaned the shoe, and tied it
and its mate securely upon tile truant
feet. C0mforted in this way, Johnny
was ready to start upon his travels once
more. He got down from his papa's
knee, and started in the direction he had
been taking before his father overlook
him.
"No, no." said papa, taking his hand.
eve are going home now to see mamma"
Johnny pulled the other way, gesticu-
lating earnestly, and talking rapidly
about mans house" and "litty horses"
NOT word Of which papa could prop
erly understand for he had not
heard Mr.. Carneys thoughtless re-
marks to the boy. He took Johnny in
his arms, the little screaming about
"other way" "litty horses," and "man's
house."
Papa loved his boy, and sympathized
with his little pleasures and disappoint-
ments when he understood them. Now
the thought uppermost in his mind was
the fearful danger his little one had just
escaped, and the necessity of teaching
him that he must not go into the woods
alone. How could he entoree the lesson
they had all tried vainly to teach?
When he had Quoted Johnny he sat
down again by the roadside. The lesson
to he enforced Something must be
done, he thought. He had never struck
his son, but now he could think of no
means of correction so prompt, and prob
ably so effectual. He broke a small twig
from bush near by and stripped it of
leaves. Then, barring the tender flesh, he
struck-very gently, he supposed, But
the child screamed in terror, and papa
saw, to his horror, fine stripes made upon
the little ones body by the blows he had
struck.
"Don't darling! Don't cry! Papa
loves his little Johnny" cried he, clasp,
ing the little fellow to his breast. Papa
don't love to hurt Johnny, but you must
not 60 in the trees alone. You would
get lost, and never see papa and mamma
any more"
Johnny chung to his neck and sobbed,
and papa started ouce more for the house,
with Johnny in his arms and the little
red cart swinging by his side. His
heart ached. He wished he had not
struck his boy. He felt that he had not
understood the baby's intentions, and he
saiu to himself, We must take better
care of him ourselves. The fault is ours
more than his. Tears rolled down his
cheeks. Johnny saw them, and hushed
his own sobs to comfort his father.
"Papa, don't kwy Johnny kWy. Don't
yo~ kwy, papa!"
The father tried to nile, and said:
"Papa feels sorry that Johnny goes
into the trees alone. He is afraid Johnny
will get lost"
Johnny won't go in the tress any
more," said the baby comforter. Don't
kwy, papa !"
Then they spoke of the flowers and
birds along the way, and so grew quite
cheerful before they reached the house.
Mamma took the little one in her arms
and rocked him silently.
81 think Johnny Will not go into the
woods alone any MORE" said her has
band.
Johnny's lip quivered, and he threw
his arms around his mothers neck, cry.
ing out;
"But / do want litty horses. Man say
Johnny may"
"What is it about little horses any
how?" asked the. father.
Then Gertrude, the only one who had
heard the invitation given to honest little
Johnny, repeated what Mr.. Carney had
said:
Il do WISH" said mamma, that people
would be more thoughtful and reasona-
BILE in their remarks to unsophisticated
children. feel as though the child is
insulted by the style of talk most people
indulge toward him-hectoring banter
ing, or talking down to him."
Johnny's plump face was paler than