The Monitor. [volume] (Woodstown, N.J.) 1884-1892, 1885-08-28
DICKENS AS BOY AND MAN.
ReeOlIectiOns of the Author by Hi
Daughter Mamie.

-
ReeOlIectiOns of the Author by His
Daughter Mamie.
| have never heard him refer in any way
to his own childish days, excepting in one
instance. When he had been telling the
story of how, when he had lived at
Chatham. he and his father often passed
Gad's Hill in their walks, and what an adj
miration he had for the red brick house,
with it's beautiful old cedar trees, and
how it seemed to him to be larger and
liner than any other house. And that his
father would tell him that if he were to be
perseyering, and were to work hard, he
might, perhaps, some day come to live in
it. | have heard him tell this story over
and over again when he had indeed become
the possessor of the place which had taken
such a hold upon his childish affections.
He had a wonderful sympathy with
children and a wonderfully quick per-
ception of their character and disposition;
a most winning and easy way with them,
full of fun, but full, also, of a graver SYM
pathy with their many small troubles and
perplexities, which made them recognize
at once a friend in him.
] nave often seen mere babies, who
would look at no other stranger present,
put out their tiny arms TO him with un-
bounded confidence, or place a small hand
in his and trot away with him, proud and
contented at having found such a com
panion. And, although with his own
children he had sometimes a sterner man.
ner than he had with others, there was not
one of them who feared to go to him for
help and advice, knowing well that there
was no trouble too small or too trivial to
claim his attention, and that in him they
would always find unvarying justice and
love. If any treat had to be asked for. the
second little daughter, always a pct of her
fathers, was pushed into his study by the
other children and always returned tri-
umphant.
He wrote special prayers for them as
soon as they could speak, interested him.
self in their lessons, would give prizes fol
industry, for p~unctuality, for neat and I'M
blotted copy-books. A word of com
mendation from him was indeed most
highly cherished and would set our hearts
glowing with pride and pleasure.
His study-to these children-was rather
a mysterious and awe-inspiring chamber,
and while he was at work nobody was al
lowed to enter it. The little ones had to
pass the door as quietly as possible, and
the little tongues left off chattering. But
at no time through his busy life was he
too busy to think of them, to amuse them,
or to interest himself in all that concerned
them. Ever since | can remember
anything | remember him as the good
genius of the house, and as the happy,
bright and funny genius. He had a
peculiar tone of voice and way of speak
ing for each of the children, who could
tell, without being called by name, which
was the one addressed, He had funny
songs which he used to sing them before
they went to bed. One in particular,
about an old man who caught cold and
rheumatism while driving in an omnibus,
was a great favorite, and, as it was accom-
panied by sneeZes, coughs, and funny GEES
ticulations. it had to be IL n over and oven
again before the small audience was sat
isfied.- TufA's Companion.