Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1881-09-22
LITTLE BOY BLUE.

His real name was Charlie but we
called him Little Boy Blue because of
his "bran new" sailor suit, which was
blue and much betrimmcd with silver
braid; he wore a 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 a
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 few
minutes, getting his share of them
without the cake. "Will you make me
little one in patty. mamma, and put
some raisins on tOpp'
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.
land then can have party all by
myself and I'll wife Johnny Gibbs over,
and We'll eat it out by the brook.
Won't that be fun, mammal" And
mamma smiled and said yes"
After awhile he grew tired of watch
inc her. and after asking for cookie,
and putting one in each pocket, he sud-
denly exclaimed: Il want to go down
to the pasture and see the sheep
- l. 10 L. l. L
there-can / 90, mamma. can I?''
And mamma said, eyes" and being
so busy just then pouring the batter
usual cautions about going off any
smiled to herself as she saw him trudg-
ing by the window, with his little whip
in one hand, and cookie in the other;
looked round and, seeing her watching.
called: Goodbye, mamma. I'll
bring YOU some flowers when l come
back"
Mamma kept on working, and,
strange to say, quite forgot to wonder
why her little boy staid away SO 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. He asked to 90
ago. but should think he must have
come back long be ore this and she
ran hastily out into the yard and called.
Il ~ l,nf L,,t al
voice called back: Here 1 am,
mamma" as Charlie was wont to do.
Then there were hurried inquiries.
but no one had seen anything o. the
little truant. ..He may be under hay
stack fast asleep" said papa, with a
little smile, but tn white lips, as he
walked off 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.
Il am so afraid he started off 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
l did not look after him better, but he
has never thought of going away before,
and it did not occur to me that he might
do SOL
Il do not think he went toward town.
for have forbidden his doing that, and
he remembers very well; but am sur
prised that Jack did not go with him."
said papa, as Jack came shifting around,
evidently aware that something was
wrong, and an iOuS to offer his sery-
ices.
wood. ot. and only came back a few
minutes ago. but shouldn't wonder if