The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1888-05-30
LOUISA MAY ALCoTT-
The Popular Writer'S RecolIections
OF Her Childhood.
[From the Youth,s companions

lFrom the Youths Compartment
Being born on the birthday of Columbus /
seem to have something of my patron saints
spirit Of adventure, and running away was
one of the delights of my childhood Many
social lunch have shared with hospitable
Irish beggar children, as we ate our crusts,
cold potatoes and salt fish on voyages of dis
covery among the ash heaps of the waste
land that then lay where the Albany station
(Boston) now stands. Many an important
picnic have had on the dear old Boston
Common, with strange boys, pretty babies
and friendly dogs, who always seemed to
feel that this reckless young person needed
looking after. On one occasion the town
crier found me fast asleep at 8 o'clock at
night on doorstep in Bedford street, with
my head pillowed on the curly breast of a
big Newfoundland, who was with difficulty
persuaded to release the weary little wan
derer who had sobbed herself to sleep there.
oIten smile as pass that door, and never
forget TO give grateful pat to every big dog
Inject, for never have slept more soundly
than on that dusty step, nor found better
friend than that noble animal who watched
over the lost baby SO faithfully.
My fathers school was the only one ever
went to, and when this was broken up be-
cause he introduced methods now all the
fashion, our lessons went on at home. for he
was always sure of four little pupils who
firmly believed in their teacher, though they
have not done him all the credit he deserved.
never liked arithmetic or grammar, and
lodged these branches on all occasions; but
reading, composition, history and geography
enjoyed, as well as the stories read to us
with skill which made the dullest charm
Krummaeher's Parallels" Miss Edgeworth.
and the best Of the dear old fairy tales made
that hour the pleasantest of our day. On
sundays we had a simple service of Bible
stories, hymns, and conversation about the
state Of our little consciences and the con-
duct of our childish lives. which never will
be forgotten.
Walks each morning round the Common
while IN the city, and long tramps over hill
and dale when our home was in the country,
were part OF our education, as well as every
sort OF housework, for which have always
been very grateful, since such knowledge
makes one independent in these DAYS Of
domestic tribulation with the help who are
too often only hindrances
Needlew0rk began early, and at 10 my skill
ful sister made linen shirt beautifully,
while at IL set up as dolls dressmaker,
with my sign out and wonderful models in
my. window. All the children employed me.
and my tuTbans were the rage at one time, to
s s great EATS, dissmay 81 the neighbors hens, who
out their downiest feathers to adorn the
dolls headgear. Active exercise was INV
delight from the time when child of six /
drove my hoop round the common without
stopping. to the days when did nv 20 miles
In five hours and went to a party in the even
ing. Emerson remained nv beloved
Master while he lived, doing more for me.
as for many another young soul, than he
ever knew, by the simple beauty of his life.
the truth and wisdom Of his books, the ex%
ample Of good. great man interrupted and
unspoiled by the world, which he made
nobler while in it, and left richer when he
went. The Concord days We're the happiest
81 81 ny lie, for we had cbaffning playmates in
the little Emersons, Channings' Hawthornes
ana Go9dwins, With the illustrious parents
s ana sneir friends to enjoy our pranks and
snare snare 90 our expansions. At 16 began to
teacn ~ pupl$, and for 10 years learned to
Know an9 love children. The story writing
went ca all the while, with the usual trials
or beginners. Fairy tales told the Emersons
made the first printed book, and Hospital
Sketches the first successful one. Every
experience went into the cauldron to come
out as frOth, or evaporate in smoke, till time
and suffering strengthened and clarified the
mixture of truth and fancy, and wholesome
draught for children began to flow pleasantly
and proftably.