Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-06-15
Roy Losr.

He wore a crimson plaid Jacket, with full
trousers, buttoned on; had habit of whistling
and liked to ask questions; was accompanied
by small black dog. 1t is long while now
house and much company. My guests say,
"Ahl it is pleasant herel Everything has
such an orderly, put-away lOok-nothing about
under foot, no dirt.
But my eyes are aching for the sight of whit
things and cut paper on the floor, of tumble
down card-houses, of wooden sheep and cattle,
of pop-guns, bows and arrows, whips, tops go
carts, blocks and trumpery. | want to sec boats
a-rigging, and kites a-making, crumbes on the
carpet, and paste split on the kitchen table
want to see the chairs and tables turned the
wrong way about. l want to see candy-making
and corn-popping, and to find jack-knives and
fish-hooks among my muslins. Yet these things
used to fret me once.
They say, How quiet you are herei Ali
one here may settle his brains, and be at
peace" But my ears are aching for the pat
tering of little feet, for hearty shout a shrill
whistle, gay ira la Ia, for the crack of little
whips, for the noise of drums, flies and tin
trumpets; yet these things made me nervous
once.
"They say, "Ahl you have leisure-nothing
to disturb you; what heaps OF sewing You have
time forP But long to be asked for bit of
string or an old newspaper, for cent to buy
slate-pencil or peanuts. l want to be coaxed
for piece Of new cloth for jibs or mainsails.
and then to hem the same. | want to make
little flags, and bags to hold marbles want
to be followed by little feet all over the house
teasing for bit of dough for a little cake, or to
take pie in a saucer. Yet these things used
to fdget me once.
They say, "Ahl you are not tied at home
How delightful to be always at liberty to 90 to
concerts, lectures, and partiesi No confne-
ment for you.
But want confinement. want to listen for
the school-bel mornings, TO give the last hasty
wash and brush, and then to watch from the
window, nimbe feet bounding to school, want
frequent rents to mend, and to replace lost but
tons. | want to obliterate mud stains, fruit
stains, molasses stains, and paints of all coors
l want to be sitting by little crib of evenings,
when weary feet are at rest, and prattling voices
are huShed that mothers may sing their lula
bies and tell over the oft repeated stories. They
don't know their happiness then-those moth
ers. / didn't. All these called confinement
once.
A manly figure stands before me now. He is
taller than l. has thick black whiskers, and
wears froek coat, bosomed shirt, and cravat
lie has Just come from college He brings
Latin and Greek in his countenance, and busts
OF the old philosophers for the sitting room,
lie calls me mother, but am rather unwilling to
own him.
lie stoutly declares that he is my boy and
says that he will prove it. He brings me small
par OF trowsers, with gay stripes at the sides,
anu dshs IL dldnt make them Tor him when
he joined the boys militia. He says he is the
very boy, too, that made the bonfire near the
barn, so that we came very near having fire in
earnest. He brings his little boat, to show the
RED stripe in the sail tit was the end of the piecel
and the name on the stern-"Luey Iowa lit
tle 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 off, and she has grown to be
tall, handsome girl. How the red comes to
his face when he shows me the name of the
boat Ohl | see il all as plain as if it were
written in book. My little boy is lost, and nv
big boy will soon be. Oil / wish he were a little
tired boy in a long, white night-gown lying in
his crib, with me sitting by, holding bis hand in
mine, pushing the curls back from his forehead,
watching his eyelids droop, and listen to his
deep breathing.
If only had my little boy again, how patient
would bel How much would bear. and how
little would fret and scold. can never have
him back again; but there are still msny moth
ers who haven't yet lost their little BOYS. /
wonder If they know they are living their very
best days-that now is the time to really enjoy
their children. think if had been more to nv
little boy, might now be more to my grown
up one,