Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1871-05-26

lie had b.scz eyes with long iasacs, rel cheeks,
sni hl- slao-; black ald almost curly lie
wore crimson rlsiI jscset, with full trousers.
but1aei oa haI a habit Of whis;ling. aud
liked 90 -.k questions; was accompanied by a
snsi black dog Itisa long while Row since he
disappeared have very pleasant house and
much company. Ny guests say, " Ah it is
p.easaa here Everything has such an orderly,
ru,aeay Ia5k-uo.hiug about under foot. no
dirt"'
But my eyes are aching for the sigh; Of whit
things and cut paper on the floor, Of tumble
down clrl-houses, o.: wooden sheep aul cattle.
. Of guns, bows and arrovs, whips, tops. 60
carts, blocks. and trunpery. wsut 90 see
boats a-rirgiuc. and kites making, cruuhles cn
the carpet, and paste spi.t on the sitchea able.
| want to see the chiirs aal tables turnel the
wrong way about. want 90 see candy making
snd c1ru-gop7ine, AMI to dn4 jack knives .ld
fshhooks among my mus-.ns Ye: these things
used 10 fret me once.
They ssy, How quiet you are here Al .
enc here may settle his brains, and be at peace
BGt my ears are aching for the patteginr Of
little feet, ior q hearty shout, shrill whistle.
gay IRA ia ls, for the crack OF little whips, for
the noise ci drums. hfas and tin trumpets vet
these things male me nervous once
They say, Al you have lcisure-nothiug
TO disturb you what heaps cf sewing YOU have
time for .'' But long 70 be asked for bit Of
string or AZ OLD newspaper, for cent to buy A
slate pencil or peanuts. | want to he coaxed for
piece of new cloth for jibs or mainssils, and
then 20 hem the same. 1 want to make litrle
flags. and bags to hold marbles want l., be
followed by little feet sll over the house teasing
for bit Of dough for = little cake, or to bake 8
pie IN 4 saucer. Yet these things used 10 figet
ne once.
They cay, % All you are not tied at home
How delightful to be alsays st liberty to 90 to
concerts, lectures, and parties No conane-
ment for you"
But | want confinement want to listen for
the school-bell mornings, to give the last hasty
wash and brush, and then to watch from the
window nim5le feet bounding to school. wan;
to obliterate mud-stsins. fruit-stsins. molasses-
stains, and paints Of all colo-s | want to be
sitting by httie crib Of evenings. when weary
feet are at rest, and prattling voices are hushei
thst mothers may sing their lullabies, and tell
over the oft-repeatsd stories. They don't know
their happiness then-those mothers. didn't.
All these things | called confinement once.
manly figure stands before me row. He
Is taller than has thick, black whiskers, and
wears frocS-cost, bosom shirt, and cravat He
brings Latin and Greek in his countenance. and
busts Of the old philosophers for the sitting room.
He calls me mother, but | sm rather unwilling
to own him.
He stoutly declares that he is nv bov. and
says that he will prove IT, He brings me a /
small pair Of trousers, with gay stripes at the /
sides, and asks if | didn't make them for him
when be joined the boys militia He saws he .
Is the very boy, too, that made the bonfire near
the barn, so ths; we came very near having
FIRE IN earnest. He brings his little boat, to
show the red stripe on the sail (it wss the end
Of the pieee) and the name on the stern-sLucy
Low''-a little girl of our neighborhood, who,
because of her long curls and pretty round face,
was the chosen fAvorite of my little boy. Her
curls were long since cut Of, and she hss grown
to be a tall. handsome girl. How the red comes
to his face when he shows ne the name on the
boat Oh see it all as plain as if it we're
written ia a book. My little boy is lost, and my
big boy will soon be. Oh wish he we're lit
tie tired boy in long white nightgown. lying in