St. Paul daily globe., 1885-11-07
II WANT MY MAMMA"
The Prayer of an Orphan Child Tha
was Soon Answered.

The red October sun had disappeared be-
hind the distant hills in the midst of glories
indescribable, and deep -brooding night hung
over the quiet valley.
Toward the north, the thick clustering
lights of town sent up puny challenge
to the radiant stars massed overhead.
Toward the south. stretching down the
valley like the tail of little comet, the lights
in hundreds of suburban villas peered like
curious eyes into the outer darkness.
The entire scene was one of peace and
repose. In one of the villas an upturned
curtain revealed a pretty sight. A beautiful
lady sat in chair in the center of the draw
ing-room, and from opposite corners two
manly little fellows were making repeated
onslaughts upon her, their apparent object
being to see who should gain the chair first
and be rewarded for his prOWeSS with kiss
from its fair, sweet occupant.
A gentleman seated at one end of the
room glanced up now and then, with a sort
of frowning smile, as peal after peal of boy
ish laughter disturbed his calm communion
with his favorite evening paper, but he had
not the heart to put a stop to this improvised
game, as it went merrily on.
Meanwhile. wee figure was toiling up
the road from an adjacent house. She was
evidently fugitive, for she was hatless,
and her stockings had fallen down from her
knee and were rolled about her diminutive
shoes, leaving the little white legs exposed
to the chill autumn air. A mass of tangled
golden curls floated back in the breeze, and
the sweet violet eyes were yelling over in
great tears, which rolled down the ruddy
cheeks and splashed upon the little hands
holding tight tie her breast ragged doll.
Great sobs convulsed the tiny creature as
she half ran across the dusty road.
''Oh, Dod, tell me where my mamma is, {"
the baby voice implored. And ever and
again that plaintive little cry broke forth:
"Oh, Dod, tell me where my mamma is"
No one had yet missed her from home so
there was no pursuit.
Presently she arrived at the house with
the updrawn curtains. 1t was only few
rods from her own home, but to the weary
little feet the distance had been tremendous.
She paused at the gateway, and, hearing
the sound of laughter within, and attracted
by the brightly lighted windows, she toiled
up the steps to the piazza, aud approaching
the nearest window, sat down and looked
in.
Something in the merry scene within
seemed to bring a fresh sense of desolation
to the little heart without. The golden head
leaned heavily against the bright pane, and
a wail-''Oh, bod, l want my mamma too"
burst from the quivering, rosebud mouth.
"Oh, bod, I want my mamma, too!'
The game ceased suddenly, for the words
seemed to cut through the clear glass to the
ears within.
One of the boys ran to the window, but
drew back quickly, and with amazement
and pity in his voice cried OUT
'.Oh, mamma, come quick! There's a
poor little girl outside"
The beautiful lady came swiftly to the
window. For one moment she gazed,
motionless with pity, on the tiny creature
lying huddled up against the pane; then
quickly raising the broad sash she put out
her arms and gathered the little girl lov-
ingly into them.
1'It is little Grace Meredith!'' she ex-
claimed, in wonder. ''Why, darling, how
did you come here all alone?"
The lady pressed the child to her warm
mother breast, and seating herself in chair
wiped away the tears from the sweet eyes,
'I want my mamma" was all little Grace
could say.
The tears sprang suddenly to the ladys
own sweet eyes.
''John," she whispered to her husband,
who had left his paper and was regarding
the group with curious emotion, John, go
over please. and tell Mr.. Meredith his little
girl is with us, safe and sound. And" she
added, as the gentleman was about to leave,
ask him, please, to let her stay with us to-
night. 1t will do her good to be with the
children, poor, motherleSS little darling"
The child looked from the lady to the
gentleman with grave, questioning eyes, but
said nothing. Her mother had been buried
the day before, and her little heart was filled
with longing for the dear caresses she had
lived and thrived upon.
81 want my mamma" she said again, in
tones that seemed to imply they could give
her what she so much desired.
Eyes, DEAR" said the lady, soothingly,
tears dropping from her eyes upon the
golden head. Eyes. dear, you shall have
your mamma enc of these days when God
in His goodness shall give the child back to
its mother and the mother to her child.
Hush! darling, hush! Mamma is waiting
for you. way up beyond the shining stars,
and you shall go to her, dear, when God has
made you ready for the change"
And so they soothed little Grace. and sang
to her, and the boys brought out their play
things for her, and all were so good and gen.
tie to her that for time she forgot the sore
ness in her little bosom and was happy.
But that night, after the golden head had
sunk YEARLY to rest, and tiny, white-robed
form lay still in the crib that had been found
for it, the beautiful lady's eyes again over
flowed as tremulous sob reached her ear,
and in her sleep little Grace again murmured
her baby petition:-
''Oh, bod, want my mamma, too!"-
Chicago News.