The Iowa plain dealer. [volume] (New Oregon, Howard County, Iowa) 1867-1895, 1889-02-14
cHlLDHooD'S MELODRAMA.
Varied Ways In Which the Theatrical
Instinct Asserts lts0sE

Instinct Asserts ItselE
Lonely children particularly develop
the dramatizing faculty, creating COM
panions. as, lacking toys. they are in
gcnious at invcnting playthings. A
b-otherless md sisterless four-year-old
Of my acquaintance. taken upon
journey, gave her fond mother some
sensation. the little one being over.
heard reciting TO a friendly stranger
the outrageous pranks. including
theft. assault and battery and incen-
darism, to which, her .big brother
Peter" was addicted. As an offset to
the disgrace OF this relationship, she
dwelt with sweet enthusiasm upon the
winning traits Of her little sister.
Sally Pinker' On being questioned
by her mother. it appeared that this
hypothetical brother and sister We're
very distinct realities to tho solitary
child, nor for long time would she
drop them from tho list of kiEship.
As a child, my record for truth-tc'l.
ing and ingenuousness Of behavior was
never impeached; yet recall instances
of mental chicanery which, had they
been made patent, would have sniiicel
to raise grave doubts in the minds ot
my natural protectors whether should
not become pcijurer Of the blackest
stamp Well do l recall that dull.
rainy afternoon when. opcn-;tir sports
being out Of the question, ! east about
for some novel entertainment indoors.
sions which lad seized upon a relative
OF mine while in the delirinm OF 4
fever. l, too. would bc dclirious. see
visions and talk wildly. | succeeded
SO we'll ut this kind Of feign-
ing that not only was my ten
der mother alarmed. but | myself
became genuinely i'll, unneryed by the
vividness OF my own figments and the
blood-chilling character OF my own
incoherent utterances. Also. | we'll re-
member being taken to the photog~
rapher's. and the lugubrious result
attending the united efforts OF the
artist my parents-und myself.
However exhorted to smile, the rec.
ord OF each experiment showed uni.
form grimness Of pursed lips. saucer
eyes and slightly corrugated brows.
The Infant sphinx rs tho photo
graph was afterwards known II ths
family. was often clandestincly IN
spected by me with extreme delight
Before and during the operation ! hae
resolved that il | We're TO have III.
picture taken l would look noble
(synonymous in my mind with Sc
vere). That had succeeded in my
!. design was the fond impression re
| tanned for several years.
Beside this witness to the theatrica
impulse in children might be placed
another portrait which was lately
shown me--that OF laughing-eyed
dimpling, coauettish Laiagc face. The
lady whose cEild-sclf is thus daintils
memorized tells me that the motiv,
! of the sitter. was to look as though
my sweetheart had just kissed mel! |
| was this same elf who, having beel
corrected by her mother, conceived ;
| plan for lacerating tho heart Of the IN
furious parent. Her eyes being at tn
height of their showery fit, She caash
up crimson bound picture book. ant
bending over it, let fall upon its ae'
mired cover two great tear-drops Wit
infinite satisfaction watchir. tn
spreading circles of stain which i
future years should SO poignantly re
proach the maternal despot. The lii,l
kd book is still extant, ari -,
seen it, with its twin hierog!yp;.s J. :
pressive OF 50 Huch paisese aa
6passA