The Dawson journal., 1885-10-22
IWANT MY MAMMA,

over the qulel valley.
Toward the north, the thick
clustering lights of a town sent up
puny challenge to the radiant
stars massed overhead.
Toward the South, stretching
down the valley like the tail of a a
little comet,th lights in hundreds
of suburban villas peered like Gu
rious eyes into the outer darkness.
The entire scene was one of
peace and repose. In one of the
Villas an updrawn curtain reveal
ed pretty sight. A beautiful
lady sat in chair in the center Of
the drawing room, and from oppo-
site corners two manly little fell
lows were making repeated out
slaughts upon her, their apparent
object being to see who should
gain the chair first and be reward
ed for his prowess with u kiss
from its fair sweet occupant.
A gentleman seated at ole end
of the room glanced up now and
then with sort of frowning smile
as peal after peal of boyish laugh
ter disturbed his calm communion
with his favorite evening paper,
but he had not the heart to put a
stop to this .improvised game, so
it went merrily on.
Meanwhile outside a wee figure
was toiling up the road from an
adjacent house. She was evident
ly a fugitive, for she was hatless,
and her stockings had fallen down
from her knees, and We're rolled
about her diminutive shoes, leav-
ing the little white legs exposed
to the chill autumn cir. A mass
of tangled golden curls foated
back on the breeze, and the sweet
violet eyes were yelling over in
great tears, which rolled down the
ruddy cheeks and FLASHED upon
the little hands holding tight to
her breast a ragged doll.
Great sobs convulsed the tiny
creature as she half ran along the
dusty road.
"Oh, bod, tell me where my
mamma is" the baby voice i'm
plored. And ever and again that
plaintive little cry broke forth:
ooh, bod, tell me where my mann
ma is.
No one had yet missed her from
home, SO there was no pursuit.
Presently she arrived at the
house with updrawn curtains. Il
was only a few rods from her
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 bright
ly lighted windows, she toiled up
the steps to the piazza, and ap-
preaching the nearest window, sat
down and looked in.
Something in the merry scene
within seemed to bring fresh
sense Of desolation to the child
heart without. The golden head
leaned heavily against the bright
pane and a wail--"Oh, Dod, [ want
my mamma, too''-burst from the
qulyering rose bud mouth.
"Oh, bod, | want my mamma,
TOO, The game ceased suddenly,
Tor the words seemed to cut
through the clear glass within.
One Of the boys ran to the viR-
dow, but drew back quiea ", and
with amazement and pit in lis
voice, cried out:
"Oh,mamma,come quick! There
Is poor little giri outside"
The beautiful lady came swiftly
70 the window. For one moment
she gazed motionless with pity on
Tue tiny creature lying huddled
up against the pane; then quickly
raising the broad sash, she put
out gu her arms and gathered the lit
Tie glri lovingly into them.
1T IS little Grace Meredith!'
she exclaimed in wonder "Why,
umarllng, Sm how did you come here
all alone?"
The lady pressed the chil' to
Her warm mother breast, and, seat
g ing herself in chair, wiped away
'ne tears from the sweet eyes.
,., want my mamma" was all
little grace could say.
a. me tears sprang suddenly to
we Iady's own sweet eyes.
John" she whispered to her
husband, who had left his paper
"' clu was regarding the group with
NITROUS nIaao emotion, John, go ever,
p;ease, and tell Mr.. Meredith that
aa u1s little girl is with US safe and
nound' I and" she added, as the
11f;nueman was about to leave, TASK
n nal' please, to let her stay with
tn t9 tso-nlght. 1t viii do her cool
tr,o oe with the children, poor, moth
'f!sss les little darling"
to ~ ne child looked from the lady
tiou;e v3e gentleman with grave,q ques-
T2uin8 eyes, but said nothing
da,i ,et mother had been buried the
wss WY 9ee,f,9re, e,, and her little heart
des. daS nlied with longing for the
nnna , caresses she lived and thriyed
ao,;, ! want my mamma she said