The Portland daily press., 1882-01-14
Children's Drol1sries.
rchambers's Journal.l

TChambers's Journal.l fh
Not long since correspondent sent 70 pro
vincial paper an anecdote of which his SIX
vear-old boy was the hero. He says: Il Keep
q shop and sell fancy goods. A gentleman
came in to buy something. 1t was early, and
my little boy and i were alone in the house at
the time. The gentleman gave me sovereign
and had to go up stairs to my cash-box. Be-
fore doing SO, went into the little room next
to the shop and said to the boy: Watch the
gentleman, that he don't steal anything; and
1 put him on the counter. As soon as 1 re-
turned he sang out: Pa, he didn't steal any
thing-I watched him You may imagine
what position was in"
Children's questions are often no less embar-
RAISING than they are amusing, as may be In
stanced in the story Of the mercenary little
boy who overheard a conversation respecting
wedding that was soon to take place. At
breakfast the next morning he recalled the
subject by asking the following question: "Pa-
pa, what do they want to give the bride away
for? Can't they sell her?"
At whale exhibition youngster is said to
have asked his mamma, IL the whale that
swallowed Jonah had as large mouth as the
one before them why didn't Jonah walk out
at one corner. "You must think Jonah was .
fool: Is didn't want to walk out and get
drowned" was the quick reply OF younger
brother, before the mother could answer.
1t is related of another infant inquirer who
was looking with great interest at toaming
pan of milk, that he suddenly exclaimed:
''Mamma, where do COWS get the milk from?"
"Where do you get your tears? was the an
swer After thoughtful silence in which tho
mention of tears had evidently recalled GER
tain associations, he again broke ont: Mamma
do tho eOpua have to he SDauked?'
On seeing house being whttewasned,
small boy Of three wanted 10 know il the house
was going to be shaved. A lady, when admir-
ing the stars on a bright night in tropical Gil.
mate, was suddenly asked in the most innocent
way by her little son of five years old II those
were the nails that held up heaven.
A boy who had always refused to eat oat-
meal in spite of his mothers urgings that u
was a strengthening diet, suddenly surprised
her one morning by eating liberal plateful
and calling for more. Upon his mother ask
ing for an explanation, he replied: II am
bound to eat oatmeal till am strong enough
to whip Johnny Scott"
Little Freddie, when visiting nelgnoors
house, was offered piece OF bread and butter,
which he accepted, but without any show. OF
gratitude. "What do you say, FreddieY,. hint
ed the lady, expecting him to say, Ihank
you." 81 say it amt cake" was the impolite
response. -,
the morning paper that the cold the night be-
| fore was intense, the thermometer registering
many degrees below treezing-point, said, Now,
| children, L suppose you are taught all about
| that at school. Which of you can tell me what
| the freezing-point is?" "The point OF my nose,
papa" was the prompt reply from one Of the
| youngsters ,,,-
| A gentleman somewhat advanced in life,
| and who was never remarkable for his good
| looks, asked his grandchild what he thought OF
| him The boys parents were present. The
youngster made no reply. "Well, why won't
| you tell me what you think of me7" "Causo
| I don't want to get licked, )" was the answer:
A mother once showed her child beautiful
| doll, st. John, of fine make and color.
"See,'' she said, she has been very good; and
Heaven always rewards the good by making
| them beautiful" "Oh," said the child, lifting
her shoulders, ''dont believe that, mamma.
| This little st. John looks very meek because
| he's all glued up; but if he could only move,
| you'd see!''
The following remark of q little girl shows
an opinion of her elders the reverse of fiattor-
| ing. 80, dearl' she exclaimed to her doll. II
| do wish you would sit STILL / never saw such
an uneasy thing in all my life Why don't
you act like grown folks and be still and stu
| pid for while?"