The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1888-01-14
IL PAPA C0it TONIGHT, MAMMAL


B1
u.:nes suggested ON a reading of Burt Arnold
poem, "PapE's Boy."l
" papa come 10 night, mamma,
I'm tired Of visiting SO;
n hat has hung BIZ the chimney side
l'lll four long DAYS ago,
" ran to peep within door,
! tie mornings early light.
o see 1t now; but say, mamma
u papa come te-ntghtf
vi papa come tonight, mammaf
&c the snow Is on the hill;
Tie ice must be tbree.inches thick
Down on the meadow rill.
hcard you say 10 him last night
1aat was sick in bed;
ddn't mean to hear, mamma,
And some medicine, you said.
o.! II papa wouldn't drink, mamma,
should be so full Of glee;
could tell the boys and girls at school
What pnpa's done for me;
I'd give them TOYS and lend them books,
And make their life so glad;
For God, YOU say, takes back his gifts
When little boys are bad.
And won't you let me go, mamma,
Upon my next birthday,
Aud carry something warm and nice
TO poor old Widow Grayl
III leave the basket near the door,
Just inside the garden gate.
" i'll papa come tonight mammai
1t seems so long TO wait.
An angel came last night, mamma;
oh, saw him in my sleepl
il dress was white as snow, l thought.
Eut say, mamma, what makes you weep,
IL Ills hands he held little shroud;
Yes, a shroud, and nothing more,
Aud q little coffin, made for me,
Was standing on the floor
Ard 1t seemed so very strange, indeed,
To find such gifts, instead
O all the toys / want SO much,
Ny story books and Sled
While / wondered what 1t meant,
You came, with fearful joy,
AID said: "They go first we love best;
God calleth thee, my boy"
But thought 1t all dream, mamma,
And now know 1t must be true;
But, mamma, PVc been so bad boy
That papa stays away from you;
don't know what mamma you'll do
When ] am laid TO rest
You'll have no little Willie's head
10 fold upon your breast.
VIII papa come tonight mammal
Lay your head against my cheek,
And raise my head a little more;
It's 30 hard for me to speak.
You needn't buy my skates and sled,
For l cannot go and slide;
Before 10 morrow's sun is up,
I'll be on the other side.
] shall not want the skates, mamma,
Nor my little trundle bed;
Give them both to Tommy Smith,
Who hit me on the head.
He used to hide my books away,
And tear nv DiCtures too:
Please tell him now that l forgive him, ma,
AS then ! tried to do.
win papa come tonight mamma,
And see me in my rooms
don't think papa heard me ask
For just another June.
8 know I've been naughty boy
And made you too much care;
/ know that you'll not lay 1t up, ma,
When am over there.
But heard you say the other night, mamma
When you were sitting by my side,
That God had place for little boys
Over on the other side.
Will God, then. let me go to school
With my little sister Clair,
And let me 90 and play and sing, ma,
With the good boys over therea
There's one thing more-my pretty pets
mamma,
/ give them to YOU and papa dear,
And, teach them how TO love.
And there's nv rake and little hoe
You'll find them both nicely laid, ma,
Away up on the garnet floor.
The place where last played
] know, dear mamma, you will keep
The summer flowers green,
Ans plant few-don't cry, mamma
Only rose or two, ] mean.
When Pm asleep I'll sleep so sweet
There beneath the apple tree,
Where you and Robin In the morn, ma,
Can come and sing to me.
Hank! Papa's come tonight, mamma,
But his eyes, they are SO wild;
Come kiss your Willie, papa, dear,
Come and kiss your dying child.
II I-bow cold It seems, how dark
Come and kiss me. cannot see;
o, papa's come tonight mamma
And God has come for me.