The Bennington banner. [volume] (Bennington, Vt.) 1858-1894, 1889-01-17
THE MELoDRAMA OF CHILDHOOD.

Lonely children particularly deyelop
the dramatizing faculty, creating COM
panions, as, lacking toys, they are in
genIous at inyenting playthings. A
brotherless and sisterless four-year.old
of my acquaintance, taken upon jour-
ney, gave her fond mother some sensa-
tion, the little one being overheard re-
citing to friendly stranger the outra-
geous pranks, including theft, assault
and battery, and incendiarism to which
her "big brother Peter" was addicted.
AS an offset to the disgrace of this rela-
tionship, she dwelt with sweet enthusi
asm upon the winning traits of her slit
tie sister, Sally Pinker." On being ques-
toned by her mother, it appeared that
this hypothetical brother and sister were
very distinct realities to the solitary
child, nor for long time would she
drop them from the list of kinship.
As a child, my record for truth-telling
and ingenousness of behavior was never
impeached; yet l shall recall instances
of mental chicanery, which had they
been patent, would have sufficed to raise
grave doubts in the minds of many nat
ural protectors whether l should not be-
come perjurer of the blackest stamp.
| Well, do remember that dull, rainy
afternoon, when, open-air sports being
out of the question, i cast about for some
move! entertainment indoors. | had
| heard of the extraordinary delusions
which had seized upon a relative of mine
while in the delirium of a fever. /, too,
would be delirious, see visions, and talk
wildly. / succeeded 80 well at this kind
of feIgning that not only was my tender
mother alarmed, but l myself became
genuinely i'll, unnerved by the yivldness
Of my own fgments and the blood
chilling character of my own incoher-
ent utterances. Also well remember be-
ing taken to the photographers and the
lugubrious result attending the united
efforts of the "artist, my parents-and
myself. However exhorted to smile,
the record of each experiment showed a
uniform grimness Of pursed lips, saucer
eyes, and slightly corrugated brows,
The Infant sphinx as this photograph
was afterwards known IN the family,
was often clandestinely inspected oy me
with extreme delight. Before and dur
ing the operation had resolved that il
l were to have my picture taken would
look noble (synonymous in my mind
with severe) That had succeeded in
my design was the fond impression re-
taid for several years.
Beside this witness to the theatrical
impulse IN children might be placed an
other portrait which was lately shown
me,-that of a laughing-eyed, dimple
couquettish L4lage face. The lady
whose child-self is thus dainty memor.
ialized tells me that the motive Of the
sitter was to "loUk as though my sweat
heart had Just kissed mel" IL was thiI
same elf who having been corrected by
her mother, conceived plan for lacer'
ating the heart of the injurious parent,
Her eyes being at the height Of their
showery fit, she caught up a precious
crimson bound picture-book. and. bend
ing over it, let fall upon its admired
cover two great tear.drops. with in
finite satisfaction watching the spread
ing circles Of stain which in future
years should so poignantly reproach the
maternal despot. The little red book
is still extant, and have seen it, witt
its twin heirOglyphics expressive of &c
much ndiUete and fneSSe.-Jdnudrl
! Atlantic