The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-06-22
LonstsIIow and the Chl1drsn.

Longfellow loved all children, and had
word for them whenever he 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 to him. Her father,
himself q stranger, took the liberty Of in
Producing his little daughter Edith to the
poet.
"Edith?" said Mr.. Longfellow, ten
derby. "Ah I have an Edith, too; but
my badly Edith is twenty years old"
And he seated the child beside him.
taking her hand in his, and making her
promise to come and see him at his house
in Cambridge.
"What is the name of your sled, my
boy?" he said to small lad, who came
tugging one up the road toward him, on
a winter morning.
"It 3 'Evangeline.' Mr.. Longfellow
wrote 'Evangeline.' 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. Mont, who witnessed the pretty
scene, tells the story of little girl who
last Christmas inquired the way to the
poets house, and asked if she could just
step inside the yard; and he relates how
Mr.. Longfellow, being told she was
there, went to the door and called her in,
and showed her the "old clock on the
stairs, and many other interesting things
about the house, leaving his tile guest
with beautiful memories OF ht Christ
mas day to carry all through her life.
This was characteristic of the poets hos
pitality, delicate and courteous and
thoughtful to all who crossed his
threshold.
It is often said, and with reason, that
we Americans do not think enough of
manners-that politeness of behavior
which comes from genuine sympathy
and delicate perception of others feel
ings. Certainly our young people
might look to Mr.. Longfellow asa model
in this respect. He was perfect gen.
tleman, in the best sense of that term,
always considerate and quick to see
where he might do kindness, or say
pleasant word.
A visitor told him one day in CONVEX
sation of young lady relative, or
friend, who had sent to Mr.. Longfellow
the message that he was the one man in
the world he wanted to see.
'Tell her." said the poet, instantly,
"that she is the one young lady in the
world whom l want to see"
Some young girls, from distant part
of the country. having been about Cam
ridge sight seeing, walked to Mr.. Long
fellows house, and venturing within
the gate, sat down upon the grass. He
passed them there, and turning back,
said
young ladies, You are uncomfortably
seated. Wont you come into the
house?"
They we're overjoyed at the invitation
and on entering, Mr.. Longfellow insisted
upon their taking lunch with him. They
saw that the table was set for four, and
were beginning to be mortified at ind
ing themselves possible intruders upon
other guests. They so expressed them
selves to their host, who put them at ease
at once, saying that it was only his
lunch with his children, and that they
would be happy to wait
One Of group of school girls whom
he had welcomed to his house,
sent to him as token
of her gratitude, an iron pen made from
q fetter of the Prisoner of Chillon, and a
bit of wood from the friga;e "Constitu-
tion," ornamented with precious stones
from three continents. He wrote his
thanks in poem which must be very
precious to the giver-"Beautiful Helen
Of Maine, whom he says of her gift
that it is to him
IA . drop Of the dew Of your youth
On the leaves OF an aged tree
Il From "Longfellow and the Child
rem" by Lucy Larcom, in st. Nicholas
for June