The Lake Charles echo. [volume] (Lake Charles, Parish of Calcasieu, La.) 1876-1898, 1876-07-13

held the youngest Child, and talked 70
her. while the tired mother closed her
ewes and festedv Now and then be
looked over ct her, and then back at the
baby; ard Al last he said cOnfdentially
TO me flor We bad become fast friends by
this time): Isn't Ii funny, 70 think
that was ever 30 small o. this baby ?
aud papa says that then mamma was
almost little girl herself"
The two other children were toiling
~ and down the banks of the railroad
track, picking ox.eye daisies, buttercups
and sorrel. They worked like beavers,
and soon the punches we're almost too
big for their little hands. They came
running to give them to the mother.
" Oh DEAR" thought ], chow that poor,
tired woman will hate to open her eyes
and she never can take those great
punches of common fading flowers, in
addition to all her bundles and bags"
was mistaken.
sob, thank you, my darlingsl How
kind you were Poor, hot, tired little
flowers, how Thirsty they look If they
will only try and keep alive till we get
home, we will make them very happy in
some water; won't wei And you shall
put one bunch by papa's plate, and one
by mine"
Sweet and happy, the weary and
flushed little children stood looking up
into her face while she talked, their
hearts thrilling with compassion for the
dropping flowers and with delight in the
giving of their gift. Then she took great
trouble to get a string and tie up the
flowers, and then the train came, and we
were whirling along again. Soon it grew
dark and little Annie's head NODDED.
Then heard the mother say to the Oldest
boy, "Dear, are you too tired to let little
Annie put her head on your shoulder
and take a nap? We shall get her home
in much better case to see papa if we can
manage to give her little Sleep" How
many boys of twelve hear such words as
these from tired, Overburdened mothers?
Soon came the city, the final station,
with its hustle and noise. I fingered to
watch my happy family, hoping to see
the father. "Why, papa isn't here"
exclaimed one disappointed little voice
after another. "Never mind" said the
mother, with a still deeper disappoint-
ment in her own tone, "perhsps he had
to 20 and see some poor body who is
sick" In the hurry Of picking up all
the parcels, and the sleepy babies, the
poor daisies and buttercups were left for
gotten in corner OF the rack. I won
dered If the mother had not intended
this. May be forgiven for the injns-
tice! A few minutes after passed the
little group, standing still just outside
the STATEN, and heard the mother say:
&" Oh, my darlings, / have forgotten your
pretty bOquets. lam 50 sorryl / won
deg If / could find them If went back?
viii you all stand still and not stir from
this spot if ge?"
ooh, mamma, don't so, don'tgO. We
win get you some more. Don't Co."
cried all the children.
Here are your flowers, madam, said
/. :" saw that you had forgotten them,
and took them a. mementOesof you and
your sweet children"
She blushed and looked disconnected. |
She was evidently unused to people, and
shy with all but her children. Howev
or, she thanked me sweetIy, and said:
Il was very sorry about them. The
children took such trouble to get them |
and think they will revive in water.
They cannot be quite dead"
"They will never die |" said /, with |
an emphasis which went from my heart |
to hers. Then all her shyness ded. She
knew me and we shook hands, and |
smiled into each others eyes with the |
smile Of kindred as we parted. |
AS followed on, heard the two chill |
dren, who were walking behind, saying |
10 each other: Wouldn't that have
been too bad Mamma liked them 50 |
much, and We never could have got so
many all At once again"
Yes, we could, too, next summer"
said the boy, sturdily.