The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1882-06-09
IOngfellew and tho UhIidrsn.


Longfollow loved al children, and had
word for them whenever no met them.
At concert. going early with her
father, little girl espied Mr.. Longfel-
low sitting alone, and begged that she
might go and speak 90 him. Her father,
himself o stranger, took the liberty OF in
Producing his little daughter Edith to the
poet.
Edith" said Mr.. Longfellow, ton-
derly. "Ahi have on Edith, too: but
my badly Edith ID twenty years old. "
And he seated the child beside him.
taking her hand in his, and making her
promise TO come and see him ut his house
In Cambridge.
"what is the name of your sled, my
boyq" he said 10 small lad. who came
tugging one up the road toward him, on
o winter morning.
ut = 'Evangeline.' Mr.. Longfellow
wrote 'Eyangeline.' Did you ever see
Mr.. Longfellow?" answered the little
fellow, as he ran by, doubtless wonder
Ing at the smile on the face OF the pleas.
ant gray haired gentleman.
Prof. Monti. who Witnessed tho pretty
scene, tells the story of little girl who
last Christmas inquired tho way 10 the
poets house, and asked IL she could just
step inside the yard; and he relates how
Mr.. Longfellow, being told she was
there. went TO the door aud called her in.
and showed her the 'old clock on the
stairs, and many other interesting things
about the house, leaving his little guos,
with beautiful memories OF that Christ.
mas day TO carry all through her life.
This was characteristic OF the poets hos.
pitality, delicate and courteous and
thoughtful 10 oil who crossed his
threshold.
1t is often said, aud with reason. that
we Americans do not think enough of
manners-that politeuess OF behaviof
which comes from genuine sympathy
and delicate perception of others feal.
ings. Certainly our young people
| might look To Mr.. Longfellow rs a model
| in this respect. He was q perfect gen
| tleman, in the best sense of that term,
always considerate and quick TO see
where he might 10 kindness, or say a
pleasant word.
A visitor told him one day in conver'
sation of a young lady relative. OF
friend, who had sent to Mr.. Longtellow
tho message that he was the one man Ia
the world he wanted 10 see.
Tell her, said the poet. Instantly
s''that sue is the one young lady in the
world whom | want To sse.
Some young girls, from distant pari
of the country. having been about Cam
ridge sight seeing. walked to Mr.. Long
fellows house. aud ventuting within
the gate. sat down upon the grass. Hs
passed them there, and turning back
said;
''Yonng ladies, you are uncomfortabls
seated. Wont you come into the
house?'
They were oyerioyed at tho invitation
and ON entering Mr.. Longiellow insistes
upon their taking lunch with him. The,
saw that the table was SGT for four. aut
were beginning 10 be mortified at find
ing themselves possible intruders upot
other guests. They 40 expressed them
selves to their host who put them At cas-.
at once, saving that it was only hi
lunch with his children, and that the,
would be happy to wait.
One of group of school girls whom
he had welcomed TO his house
sent TO him "a tokeI
OF her gratitude. an iron pen made from
fetter of the Prisoner of Chilion. and
bit of woasl from the frioa' "fonstiin
tion," oTnamented with precious stone
from three continents. He wrote hi
thanks in poem which must be yer.
precious TO the giver-" Beautiful HeloI
Of Maine, to whom he says OF her gif
that il u To- him
IA drop of the dew of your youth
| TN the leaves Of al aged tree"
= From "Longfellow and the Child
rem. by Lucy Larcom. in st. Nichola
for June.