Clarksville weekly chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1873-1890, 1885-10-17
i Want Ny Mamma.


unanimous.
Want Ny Mamma.
/ The red October sun had disap-
peared behind the distant hills in the
midst of glories Undesirable, and
deep brooding night hung over the
quiet valley. Toward the north, the
! thick clustering lights OF town sent
up a puny challenge to the radiant
stars massed overhead. Toward the
south, stretching down the valley like
the till OF little comet, the lights in
! hundreds OF suburban villas peered
4 like curious eyes into the outer dark
ness.
The entire scene was one of peace
and repose. In one of the villas the
up drawn curtains reveal a pretty
sight. A beautiful lady sat in chair
IN the centre of the drawing room, and
from the opposite corners TWO manly
little fellows were making repeatnd
onslaughts upon her, their apparent
object beng TO see who should gain
the chair first and be rewarded by Il
kiss from its fair, sweet occupant.
A gentleman seated at one end Of
( the room glanced up now and then
with a sort OF frownlng smile, is peal
after peal Of boyish laughter disturbed
his calm communion with his iay0rlte
evening paper; but he had not the
heart to puta stop to this lmprovlsed
game, so it went merrIly on.
Meanwhile, outside wee figure was
toiling up the road from an adjacent
house. She was evidently a fugitive,
for she was hatless and her stockings
had fallen down from her knees and
were rolled about her diminutive
shoes, leaving the little white legs ex-
posed to the chill autumn air. \ mass
OF tangled golden curls fioated back in
the breeze, and the sweet violet eyes
were yelling over in great tears, which
rolled down the rudy cheeks and
splashed upon the little hands holding
tight to her breast little ragged doll.
Great sobs conyulsed the tiny crea-
ture as she half ran along the dusty
road.
20, bod, tell me where my mamma
is" the baby's voice implored. And
ever and again that plaIntive little cry
broke forth-"O, bod, tell me where
my mamma is" No one had yet missed
her from home, so there was no pur
suit Presently she arrived at the
house with the upturned curtains 1t
was only few rods from her own
home, but to the weary little feet the
distance had seemed tremendous.
She paused at the gateway, and hear
Ing laughter within, and attracted BY
the brlghdy lighted windows, she
toiled up the steps to the piazza, and
approaching the nearest window, sat
down and looked in.
Something IN the merry scene with |
in seemed to bring a fresh sense OF des- |
olation To the little heart without
The golden head leaned heavily against !
the bright pane, and a waii-'O Dol,
| want my mamma, toe" burst rom |
the quvering rosebud mouth.
20, bod, / want nay 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,
bHt drew back quickly, and with |
and pity IN his voice cried
ont: ooh, 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 against
The pane; then, quickly raising the
broad sash, she put out her arms aad
gathered The little girl lovingly into
them.
at is little Grace Meredith" she
exclaimed III wonder. why, darling.
how did you come here all alone p
The lady pressed the child to her warm
mother breast, and seating herself in Il
chair, wiped away the tears from the
sweet eyes.
Il want my mamma" was all little
Grace could say.
The tears sprang suddenly to the
adys own sweet eyes. John" she
to her husband, who had
eft his paper and was regarding the
yroup with curious emotion, John,
90 over, please, and tell Mr.. Meredith
lis little girl is with us safe and sound.
And" she added, as the gentleman was
lbout to leave, "ask hIm, please, TO let
Ter stay with Us tonight. Il will do
Ter good to be with the children, poor
little darling"
The child looked from, the gentle |
nan to the lady with grave, question
ny eyes, bat said nothing. Her moth
II had been buried the day before, and /
Ter little heart was filed with longing
or the dear caresses. she had lived and | .
hrived upon.
II want my mamma" she said again
n tones that seemed to imply that {
hey could give her what she SO much
lesired
Eyes, DEAR said the lady soothingly,
ears dropping from her eyes upon the
Golden head. Eyes, dear, YOU shall
me OF the beautiful distant days when )
Tod in his goodness shall give the
hild back to its mother, and the
mother TO her child. Hush, darling,
lush. Mamma is waiting for You !
way, way up beyond the shining t
trs, and you shall 60 to her, dear, |
when God has made you ready for the $
hange."
Ana SO they soothed little Grace,
nd sang to her and the boys brought j
'ut their playthings for her, and All
we're so good aud gentle to her that for !
time she forgot the soreness in her
title bosom and was happy.
But that nj ght after the golden head
md sunk wearily to rest and the tiny
rhite ral,ed io:'nl lav still in the crib t
hat hid been found for il, the heluti-
nj lady's ewes again overffowed As a q
sob reHched her ear, ami IN d
er sleep little grace again lnurmured
er baby petition:
90, bod, I want my mammal" \
}