The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1882-06-30
LongreIlow and the Children.

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.. Longfellow
sitting alone, and begged that she might
go and speak to him. Her father him
self stranger, took the liberty of intro
ducing his little daughter Edith to the
poet.
- Edith?'' said Mr.. Lengfellow, ten
DERBY. ALI have an Edith, too, but
nly baby Edith is twenty years oldn
And he seated the child beside him. tax
ing 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
boy he said to small lad. who came
Juggling one up the road toward him, on
a winter morning.
- It's .Eyangeline' Mr. LongfelIow
wrote Evangetipe. 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
y
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 little guest with
beautiful memories of that Christmas
day to carry all through her life This
was characteristic of the poets hospitali-
ty, delicate and courteous and thought
full 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
mioht look to Mr.. Longfellow as n
model in this respect He was perfect
gentleman, in the best sense of that
term, always considerable and quick to
see where he might do a kindness, or
say pleasant word.
A visitor one 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,
ssthat 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.. 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. Won't you come into the
housed"
They were overioyed 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 find
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
regular lunch with his children, and that
they would be happy to wait
One of group of schoolgirls whom
he had welcomed to his house sent him,
as a token of her gratitude, an iron pen
made from a fetter of the Prisoner of
Chillon, and bit of wood from the fri
gate Constitution, ornamented with
precious stones from three continents.
He wrote his thanks in a poem which
must be very precious to the giver-
beautiful Helen of Maine, ito whom
he saws of her gift that it is to him
AS drop of the dew of your youth
On the leaves of an aged tree
-Lucu La1coDl. IN So. Nicholas.