Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-06-21
Roy Lost.

lie had black eyes with long lashcs, rcd
checks. and hair almost black aud almost
curly. lie wore crimson plaid jacket, with
full trousers, buttoned on had habit of
whistling and liked to ask questions was
accompanied by small black dog. IL is
long while now since he disappeared. have
My guests say, All it is pleasant here
Everything has such an orderly, put-away
look-nothing about under foot no dirt"
But my eyes are aching for the SIGHT Of
whittings aud cut paper on the floor, OF tum.
be-down card.housos, Of wooden sheep and
cattle, of pop-guns, bows and arrows, whips
tops, go-carts, blocks, and trumpery. | want
to see boats a-ricging, and kites a.making,
crumble- on the carpet, and paste split on the
kitchen table want to see the chairs and
table turned the wrong way about. ! want
to see caudy.making and corn-poppiug and to
Gnd Jack knives and ish.hooks among my
muslins Yet these things used to fret me
once
They say How quiet you are here
All one here may settle his brains, and be
at peace But my ears are aching for the
pattering Of little feet, for a hearty shout a
shrill whistle, a gay ira la la, for the crack
Of little whips, for the noise Of drums, hies
and tin trumpets yet these things made me
neryou. once.
They say, All you have leisure-noth-
ing TO disturb you what heaps of sewing
you have time for :" Bnt ! long to be- asked
for bit Of string or an old newspaper for "a
cent to buy slate-peucil or peanuts. | want
TO be coaxed for a piece Of new cloth for ibs
or mainsais, and then to hem the same. !
want to make little flags, and bag. to hold
marbles. want to be followed by little feet
all over the house, teasing for bit Of dough
for little cake, or to bake pie in a sau-
Ger. Yet these things used to fdget Inc
once
They say, All you are uot tied at home
How delightful to have liberty to 60 to con.
ccrts, lectures and parties No confinement
for you"
But | want confinement. | want TO listen
for the school-bel mornings, to give the hasty
wash and brush. and then to watch from tn,
window nimble feet bounding to school
want frequent rents to mend, and to replace
lost buttons | want to oblterate mud-stains
fruit-stains, molasses stains, and paints Of al
colors | want to be sitting by a little Grill
: Of evenings, when weary feet are at rest, an'
prattling voices are hushed that mothers ma,
, sing their ullabies, aud tell over the oft-re
) peated stories They don't know their happi
e ness then-those mothers. didn't. Al
G these things | called confinement once.
t 4 manly figure stands before me now. H
, is taller than has thick black whiskers
e and wears irock-coat, bosomed shirt, anl
r cravat lie has Just come from college. II
brings Latin and Greek in his counteuance
! and busts of the old philosophers for the sit
, ting.room He calls me mother but | al
t rather unwilling to own him.
. He stoutly declares that he is my boy, an
v says that he will prove it. He brings me
e small pair Of trowsers, with gay stripes 1
e, the sides and asks if didn't make them fc
Y him when be Joined the boys militia. II
:, says he is the very boy, too, that made th
IS bonfire near the barn, so that We came yer
It near having fire in earnest. lie brings h
c little boat, to show the red stripe on the sa
i lit was the end Of the piece) and the nau
; on the stern" Lucy Low'-a little girl {
/, our neighborhood who, because OF her Ion
n curs and pretty round face, was the chose
" favorite of my little boy Her curls we
e. long since cut of, and she has grown to be
u tall, handsome girl. How the red comes
it his face when he shows me the name on II
It boat Oh sec 1t all as plain as if it wei
i written in book My little boy is lost, ar
of my big boy will soon be. Oh wish
lie were little tired boy in long white nigh
e. gown. lying in his crib, with me sitting b
as holding his hand in mine, pushing the cul
le back from his forehead, watching his eyeli
droop, and listening to his deep breathing
It, If | only had my little boy again how P
II, tient would be How much would bea
q, and how little | would fret and scold. | Ct
10 never have him back again; but there a
Is still many mothers who haven't yet lost the
ie htt, boys wonder if they know they a
to living their very best days-that now is Il
re time to really enjoy their children. | thin
l. if had been more to my little boy, | mig
to now be more to my grown-up one.