The Marietta journal. [volume] (Marietta, Ga.) 1866-1909, 1885-10-01
WANT MY MAMMA.

stars massed overhead. Toward the
south stretching down the valley like
the tail of a little comet, the lights in
hundreds of suburban villas peered
like curious eyes into the outer dark
ness.
| The entire scene was one OF peace
and repose. In one of the villas the
updrawn curtains reveals pretty
sight. A beautiful lady sat in a chair
in the center Of the drawing 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 proves with a kiss from its fair,
sweet occupant.
4 gentleman seated at one end of
the room glanced up now and then
with "a sort of frowning smile as peal
after peal of boyish laughter disturb
ed his calm communion with his IA
vorite evening paper; but he had
not the heart to put a stop to this
improvised game, so it went merrily
on.
Meanwhile outside wee figure
was toiling up the road from an ad-
jacent house. She was evidently
fugitive, for she was hatless, and her
stockings had fallen down from her
knees and were rolled about her
diminutiye shoes, leaving the little
white legs exposed to the chill au-
tumn air. A mass of tangled golden
curls foated 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 to
her breast a ragged doll.
Great sobs convulsed the tiny crea-
ture as she half ran along the dusty
road.
I go bod, tell me where my NAM
ma is, the baby's voice implored.
And ever and again that plaintive
little cry broke orth-'O, bod, 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 upturn-
ed curtains. 1t was only a few rods
from her own home, but to the weary
little feet the distance had been ire
mendOus.
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, and approaching the near
est window sat down and looked in.
Something in the merry scene with
in seemed to bring frseh sense of des-
Olation to the little heart without. The
golden head leaned heavily against the
bright pane, and a wail-"O bod, |
want my mamma, too"-burst from
the quiyering, rosebud mouth.
80 bod, 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 quickly.
There's 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 lovingly into
| them.
at is little Grace Meredith" she
exclaimed in wonder. "Why, dar-
ling, how did you come here all
alone p The lady pressed the child
to her warm motherly breast, and
seating herself in chair, wiped away
the tears from the sweet eyes.
81 want my mamma" was all little
Grace could say.
The tears sprang suddenly to the
lady'S 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.. Mere
dith his little girl is with us safe and
sound. And" she added, as the
gentleman was about to leave, TASK
him, please, to let her stay with us
tonight. 1t will do her good to be
with the children, poor motherless
little darling
The child looked from the gentle
man to the lady with grave, question
ing eyes, but said nothing. Her moth
er had been buried the day before,
and her little heart was filed with
longing for the dear caresses she had
lived and thrived upon.
Il want my mamma" she SAID
again, in tones that seemed to imply
they could give her what she so much
desired.
Yes, dear" said the lady sooth-