Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1882-06-29
LongfelloM's Love for Children.

Longfelow loved all children, and
had word for them whenever he met
them.
At concert, going early with her
father, a little girl espied Mr.. Longfel-
low sitting alone, and begged that she
might 90 and speak to him. Her father,
himself stranger, took the liberty of
introducing his little daughter Edith to
the poet.
"Edith?" said Mr.. Longfellow, ten
derby. "Ah! | 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?" he said to small lad, who came
Juggling one up the road toward him, on
winter morning.
1T S 'Evangeline.' Mr.. Longfellow
wrote 'Eyangeline.' Did you ever see
Mr. Longfellow?' answered the little
fellow, rs he ran by, doubtless wonder
ing at the smile on the face of the pleas
ant, gray-haired gentleman.
Professor 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 in
teresting things about the house, leav-
ing his little guest with beautiful MEM
cries of that Christmas day, to carry all
through her life. This was character
iStic of the poets hospitality, 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 feelings.
Certainly our young people might look
to Mr.. Longfellow as model in this
respect. He was perfect gentleman,
in the best sense of that term, always
considerate, and quick to see where he
might do kindness, or say pleasant
/ word
\ visitor enc day told him in CONVEX
sation of a 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.
Tell her. said the poet, instantly
that She is the one young lady in the
world whom | want 10 see.
Some young girls from q distant par
Of the country, having been about Cam
bridge sightseeing, walko,lto Mr.. Long
fellows house and ventured within thu
gate, sat down upon the grass. II,
passed them there, and turning back
said;
Young ladies. YOU are uncomfort
ably seated. Won't you come into tn
hauSc?'
They were overj0yed nj the invitation
and on entering, Mr.. Longfcllow insist
ed upon their taking lunch with him
They saw that the table was set for four
and were beginning to be mortified a
finding themselves possible intruder
upon other guests They so expresses
themselves to their host, who put ther
at ease at once, saying that it was onl
his regular lunch with his children and
that they would be happy to wait.
One of a group of schoolgirls whor
he had welcomed to his house sent hin
a. token of her gratitude, an iron pc
made from fetter of the Prisoner {
Chillon. and bit of wood from th
frigate Constitution, ornamente
with precious stones from three contir
ents. He wrote his thanks in 3 poeI
which must be very precious to til
giver. Beautiful Helen of Maine, -
to whom he says of her gift that it is
him
'As drop Of the dew Of your youth
On the leaves Of an aged tree,