The Londonderry sifter. (South Londonderry, Vt.) 1883-19??, 1885-02-26
CHARLES DIGXENs ut HOME.
fais Eldest HaU-iitcT's EccoEcctiOn1
OF the Great Novelist.

Eais Eldest HaU-iitcT's lsccolicction1
OF the Great Novelist.
| have often seen mere babies, who
would look az no other stranger present,
put oat their tiny arms to him with un-
bounded confidence, or place a small hand
IN his and trot away WITH him, quite
proud and contcnted at having found such
a companion, Ever since can remember
anythin; | reuerb.c him as the good
gea'Ts Of the house, and as its happy,
bright, and funny genius. lie had funny
songs which he used to sing 10 them be-
fore they went TO bed. One in particular
about IN old iAGn who eau, 1t cold and
rheumatism while sitting in IN omnibus,
was Il great favorite. and, as it was ac-
companied by saeezes, coughs, and gesticu-
lations, it had to he sung over and over
again before the small audience was
satisfied ...s.
c2n see him now. through lie mist of
years, with child nearly always On his
knee at this time Of the evening, his
bright and beautiful eyes full of life an
fun. can Ii Ar his clear, SWEET vo.,c as
he sang to those children rs il he ha 10
other occupation in the world but to
amuse them and when they grew older,
and were able 10 act little plays, it was
their father himself who was teac her,
manager and promptor to the infant anna,
teurs. These theGtricals were undertaken
as earnestly and seriously aswere those Of
the grown-up people. He would teach the
children Their parts separately: what to
do and how 10 Go it, acting himself for
their editicntioR. At one moment h,
would be the dragon in Eoisunic,'' at
the next one Of the seven servants, then a
jockey-playel bv the youngest child,
whose little legs had much difficulty to
getting into the t0p-bo0ts-lantu he had
taken every art in the play.
Charles Dickens was always great
walEer, but In these days he rode and
drove more than lie did in later ca S. he
was fond Of toe game OF battie,!,lc and
shuttiec0r k hi used constantly to play
with friends on summer evenings
As the chldicn grew older, there were
evenings when they would be allowed to
drive out into the country, and then get
out OF the carriage and walk with Papa. "
1t seems now as if the wild flowers which
uSttl " bC Sftt HJiCu lDOSt evenings III
the country lanes were Sweeter and more
beautiful than any which grow nowadays
The very lanes have al! disappeared an
grown into houses. but the memo OF
the one who originated these trc l., cn..
who was tic good spirit of the Il he, can
never he blu;r;i out.
Charles Dickens was very fond Of music,
and not only Of classical music. He loved ma
tionalairs, old tunes, songs,and ballads, and
was easily moved by anything pathetic in
q song or tune, and was meyer tired OF
hearing his special favorites sung or PLAYED.
He used to like 10 have music Of an even
ing, and duets used 10 be played for hours
together, while lie would read or wall: up
anu down the room. A memb r of his
family was singing a ballad enc evening
while he was apparently deep in his LO K,
when he suddenly got up. saving " You
don't make enough Of that word, " and lie
sat down by the piano showed her he way
in which he wished it to be emphasized
and did not leave the instrument until it
had been sung TO his satisfaction. When
ever this song was sung, which 1t often
was, as II uetame a favorite with him, ne
would always listen for that word. with
his head little on one side, as much as TO
say. Il wonder il she will remember
The New Year was always welcomed
with all honors. Just before II O'Clock
Il l,
and he would open the door and stand n
the entrance, watch in hand-how II aay
OF his friends must remember him thus,
and think lovingly of the picture as lie
waited, with n half-smifc on his attentive
face, for the bells to chime oct
New Year. Then his voice would break
the silence with "a Happy New Year to
us ALL" For many minutes there would
be much embracing, Misunderstanding, and
hi |, g
come up and get hearty shake Of +hn
hand from the beloved = master 9h n
hot spccd wine would be d:strib;. TEL.
and g6O! health drunk all rornl. Some
timCS there would be IA country dance. in
which the host delighted, and iii which he
insisted upon everyone joining, and he never
allowed the tlancing-and real dancing it
was toto iag for an instant, but kcIt it
IN until even he was tired and out OF
breath, and had ut last to clap his hands,
and bring ii TO an crd. Ills tborou n en-
joyment was most charming to witness,
aud seemed TO infect everyone present.
Charles Dickens brought Il Ute white
Havana spaniel with him from 4 er.ca,
and from that time there were always
various pets about the house. In parlicu
lar there was an eagle and a ravCsl The
eagle had a sort Of grotto made itr HIN
in the garden, TO which he was Chained.
and being chained he was not qEite such
an object OF terror to the children as the
raven was. The raven, with his mis- hev-
Gus nature, delighted in frightening them
One of the little daughters had very
chubby, rosy legs, and tie raven used to
run after and peck at them, until poor
Italics leds" became constant subject
Of commiSeratiOn. Yet the raven WIS a
and there were countless funny stolieS
ahput him 10 WINS pCIpliq1ly Nilk n t1