Barbour County index. [volume] (Medicine Lodge, Kan.) 1880-current, 1882-07-14
LongfeIIow and the Children.

LongfeIIow and the Children.
81. NicAolaa
Longfellow loved all children, and
had word for them whenever he met
them.
At a concert, going early with her
father, little girl espied Mr.. LoDgfel-
low sitting alone, and begged that she
hight go and speak to Tim. Her father,
himself stranger, took the liberty Of
introducing his little daughter Edith to
the poet.
"EdithP" said Mr.. LorgfeIlow, ten
derby. "Ahl 1 have an Edith, too; but
my baby 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 2" he said to a small lad, who came
tuggipg one mp the road toward him,
on winter morning.
ats 'Evangeline' Mr.. Longfellow
wrote 'Evangeline' Did you ever see
Mr.. LoDgfellowP" answered the little
fellow, as he ran by, doubtless wonder
ing at the smile on the face of the
pleasant gray haired gentleman.
Professor Month, who witnessed the
pretty scene, tells the story of little
girl, who, last Christmas, inquired the
way to the poets house, and asked if
sue could just step inside the yard and
be relates how Mr.. LongfellOw. being
told she was there, went to the door
and called her in, and showed her the
odd clock on the stairs" and many
other interesting things about the
house, leaving his little guest with
beautiful memories of that Christmas
day to carry all through life. This
was characteristic of TIE poets hos
pitality, delicate and courteous and
thoughtful to all who crossed his
threshold.
1t 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 as a model In
this respect. He was perfect gentle
man, in the best sense of that term.
always considerable and quick to see
where he might do a 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.. Longftllow
the message that he was the one man
in the world she wanted to see.
"Tell 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
within 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 invita-.
ton, 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 finding themselves possible
intruders upon other guests. They 81
expressed themselves to their host, who
put them at ease at once, saying that
it was only his regular lunch with his
children. and that they would be hap
Ply 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 from letter of the prisoner of
Chillon, and a bit of wood from the
frigate Constitution" ornamented
with precious stones from three contin-
ents. He wrote his thanks in a poem
which must be very precious to the
giver.-"Beautifnl Helen of Msine,"-
to whom he says of her gift that it is
TO him
GAS drop of the dew of your youth
On the leaves If an aged tree"