Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-03
LOngfeIlOW and the Children.

Longfellow loved all children, and
had word for them whenever he met
them.
At q concert. going early with her
father, q little girl espied Mr.. Long
fellow sitting alone, and begged chat she
might go and speak to him. Her father,
introducing his little daughter Edith to
the poet.
Edith ?" said Mr.. Longfellow, ten
derby. san! I have an Edith, too; but
nag Edith is 20 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 Cam
bridge.
"What is the name of your sled, my
boy ?" he said to q small lad, who came
Juggling one up the road toward him, on
q winter morning.
SITS 'Evangeiine.' Mr.. Longfellow
wrote Evangeline.' Did you ever see
Mr.. Longfeilow ?" 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 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
MIR. Longfellow, being told she was there.
went to the door and called her in, and
showed her the "old clock on the stairs, 4"
and many other interesting things about
the house, leaving his little guest with
beautiful memories of that Christmas
day to carry all through her life. This
was characteristic of the poets hospit-
ality, delicate and courteous and thought
full to all who crossed his threshold.
It is often said, and with reason, that
we Americans do not think enough of
manners politeness of behavior
which comes from genuine sympathy
and a delicate perception of others feel
ings. Certainly our young people might
look to Mr.. Longfellow as model in
this respect. He was perfect gentle
man in the best sense of that term,
always considerate, and quick to see
where he might do kindness, or say a
pleasant word.
A visitor one day told him 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 she wanted to see.
"Tel her," said the poet. instantly,
"that she is the one young lady in the
world whom want to see.'
Some young girls, from distant part
of the country, having been about Cam
bridge sightseeing, walked to Mr..
Longfellow's house, and, venturing with
in the gate, sat down upon the grass.
He passed them there, and, turning
back, said:
"Young ladies, you are uncomforta-
bly, seated. Won't you come into the
house %
They were overjoyed at the invitation,
and, on entering, Mr.. Longfellow in
sisted upon their taking lunch with him.
They saw that the table was set for
four, and were beginning to be morti-
fed at finding themselves possible in
truders upon other guests. They so
expressed themselves to their host,
who put them ct ease at once, saying
that it was only his regular lunch with
his children, and that they would be
happy to wait.
One of a group of schoolgirls whom
he had welcomed to his house sent HIM.
as a token of her gratitude, an iron pen
made from fetter of the Prisoner of
Chillon, and a bit of wood from
the frigate Constitution, ornamented
with precious stones from three CONT
nents. He wrote his thanks in a poem
which must be very precious to the
giver-" Beautiful Helen of Maine -
to whom he says of her gift that it is
to him
AS drop of the dew Of your youth
On the leaves of aged tree.
Lucy Larcona, in st. Nicholas.