The People's vindicator. [volume] (Natchitoches, La.) 1874-1883, 1881-09-24
LITTLE BOY BLUE.

CalleQ MIN LlCtlc BOY Blue because OF
his "bran new" sailor suit, which was
blue and much betrimmcd with silver
braid; he wore q jaunty sailor cap. set
somewhat askew on brown curly hair;
his face was brown from playing out of
doors so much, and his cheeks were red
as apples for the same reason; he had
wide-open, honest, blue eyes and q
habit of asking great many unanswer-
able questions. Had you asked him
how old he was, he would have told
you: Just tree years old last Fourth of
july"
On the morning of the adventure of
which am about to tell you he came
into the pantry where mamma was
busy getting ready for company (Aunt
and Uncle Bates, with the three little
cousins, were coming to tea), and
watched her stoning raisins for q few
minutes, getting his share of them
without the cake. "Will you make me
little one in patty. mamma, and put
some raisns on top|'
"Yes. DEAR answered mamma, as
she busted the raisins with flour to
keep them from all going to the bottom
of the cake, you know.
"And then can have party all by
myself and I'll vite Johnny Gibbs over,
and we'll eat it out by the brook.
Won't that be fun, mamma?' And
mamma smiled and said .'Yes."
After awhile he grew tired of watch.
ing her, and after asking for a cookie,
and putting one in each pocket, he sud-
denly exclaimed: II want to 90 down
to the pasture and see the sheep
there's the cunningest little lamb down
there--can l 20, mamma. can l?''
And mamma said, eyes" and being
so busy just then pouring the batter
into the cake tins, she did not add her
usual cautions about going off any,
where else, or staying too long. She
smiled to herself as she saw him trudg-
ing by the window, with his little whip
in one hand, and q cookie in the other;
and nodded 10 him gaily when he
looked round and, seeing her watching,
called: Goodbye, mamma iii
bring Won some flowers when l come
back"
Mamma kept on working, and,
strange to say. quite forgot to wonder
why her little boy staid away 20 long.
Presently dinner time came, and
brought papa. Almost his first words
were, ''Where is Little Boy Blue?' for
he generally ran to the gate to meet his
papa.
"Why," said mamma, looking some.
what startled. II supposed he was in
the yard somewhere. lie asked to 90
down to the sheep pasture some time
ago. but should think he must have
come back long before this,'' and she
ran hastily out into the yard and called,
"Charlie! Charlier' but no sweet little
voice called back: '.Here l am.
mamma" as Charlie was wont to do.
Then there were hurried inquiries.
but no one had seen anything OF the
little truant. ''He may be under q hay
stack fast asleep" said papa, with Q
little smile, but with white lips, as he
walked of toward the pasture. Then
what search ensued in all his favorite
haunts, to find the Little Boy Blue; in
the barn; up in the hay; in the wagon
box. down by the brook and all over
the farm; but no Little Boy Blue re-
warded the search.
II am so afraid he started of toward
town to meet you, and wandered into
the woods" said mamma, with very
white face, when papa came back from
the pasture. II feel so guilty to think
did not look after him better, but he
has never thought Of going away before,
and it did not occur to me that be might
do SOL
II do not think he went toward town.
for l have forbidden his doing that, and
he remembers very we'll; but | am sur.
prised that Jack did not go with him, y
said papa, IS Jack came shifting around,
evidently aware that something was
wrong, and anxious to offer his serv-
ices.
"Jack was away with the men at the
wood-lot, and only came back q few
minutes ago, but / shouldn't wonder il
he could help us find him. at which
Jack wagsed joyful assent, glad to
End himself thus appreciated.
You. my dear, are too tired to 60
any farther" said papa to poor MAN.
ma who was In fact trembling all over,
and pu1ing her with . gentle but firm
hand on the sofa, he added, '.but l
will take Jack, and we'll 20 down to
the pasture again, and he may be able
to get track Of him. Twill take my gun
along, and the moment we lind him /
will rire it 80 you need not be kept in
suspense q long
Down to tho pasture again. where the
sheep, were quietly grazing, they went,
papa looking about with anxious eyes,
and Jack running ahead with nose close