The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-09-25
Gpfitil.g State SoMraaI
John,s Love for children.


An old friend has been relating to III
an affecting story, and gives us permission
to use it for the benefit of the mex
perienced, should there be any sucf
among the readers of The journal. The
scene is laid in clearinghouse. The
| principal character besides himself, are six
greasy fingered, smutty-faced young ones
aged respectively about four years. "Aged
he could see this inscription on six res
pective grave stones, is an important item
not included in the narrative. but to give
him credit of possessing an ordinary sense
of feeling, we will presume it was not an
unfrequent wish. But he was modest
young man as well as fastidious, and dare
not venture the risk of lacerating the
tender feelings of six fond mothers by
making known to them that the SIM
| cerest desire of his heart could be
gratlfled in the realization of such wish.
John, for this was our hero's name, was
the favorite male boarder of the family.
He was fond Of society, and wore immacu-
late linen and fine raiment. The young
mothers dotted on him, and the little ones
always exhibited great degree OF famili-
arity when John was around. In fact they
became familiar to such a degree as to
cause John to frequently think of the old
saying, the last word of which is "con-
tempt. " One particular Sunday after
noon is set down in Johns diary as by far
the " cussedest" day, for day of rest,
that he ever experienced. The boarders,
including the children, had Just arisen from
and excellent dinner, and seated them
selves in the sitting room for social
time.
The children were very gleeful, exceed
inglyiso. John looked at his white duck
suit and was sorry they were so glee-
full. The children loved John and
wanted to. let him know it. They all
gathered around him and looked into his
winsome face, showing such childlike
simplicity and unclean digits that John
was touched. Those six fond mothers sat
there, conversing freely, and doing their
best to make it agreeable for John. John
was working hard to keep his eye on the
young ones and at the same time not lose
his reputation as social being. But the
odds were against him. just as he was
explaining the nature of the electric dis
play in the heavens the other evening, lit
tie Susie came up and laid her dimpled
hands confidently on his knees, leaving
the imprint of her little fingers on his
white pants. John recognized the rich
chicken gravy which the boarders had
SO favorably commented on at the table,
and hitched back little. By that time
little Robbie was by his side, playing with
his watch guard, and trying to get the
Elgn out Of his pocket. John felt unwell,
for he had just seen Robbie poking big
piece of currant pie into his mouth with
his fingers. just here one of the mothers
asked John if he did not think the electric
current was specie of Aurora Borealis.
John never wanted to enligten a
female and spank child at the same time
so bad in his life, but moving his chair a
lite further back he proceeded to answer
the interrogatory, when little Maud scrarn-
bled up into his lap and wanted him to kiss
her doll. Maud had just been bathing her
doll in the slop pail but hadn't wiped it dry.
The doll also wore a long dress, and this
was left on during the bath. When Maudy
put her doll to Johns face to have it kissed,
he suddenly jerked back his head, knocked
the lamp off the table, emphasized few
of the choicest words in the catechism and |
stood up to let the dish water run off his |
shirt front. 1t ran down under his vest |
and also showed through his pants in spots. |
Then the mother of that naughty child |
said "why Maudy!" Then she spoke re-
gretfully, and offered to sponge his clothes,
although she said she couldn't make them
look as good as new.
Then Mrs. B. said scientists differed
concerning the nature of that phenomena
in the heavens. John rather abruptly told
her she could find report in full in the
daily papers, reached for his handkerchief
and pulled out of his coat pocket four
crooked nails, a tin spoon, wish bone anda
baked apple. These belonged to Freddie.
Then John went up stairs, sat down on
the bed, swore at a fly and struck his nose,
figured up his board bill and swore,
changed his clothes but not his CONVERSE
ton, said he could lick the man who don't
believe in infant damnation, packed up his
things and had the nose bleed, broke his
engagement with his girl, wished he was
an angel or Robinson Crusoe, threw in a
hot oath and went to bed without repeat
what his mother once taught him.
John now boards with an old maid who
never takes female boarders.-Lo,ceU
| n Il ,1,1