The Daily times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1886-1889, 1889-01-19
MELooRAMA 0F CHILDHOOD.
The Resources of Children Who Find
Themselves Companionlc.s


Themselves CompanionIc.s.
Lonely children particularly develop the
dT0matizing faculty, creating companions,
as lacking toys, they are ingenious az invent
ing playthngs. a brotherloss and sisterless
i-year-old Of my acquaintance. taken upou a
journey, gave her fond mother some sensa-
ton, the little one being overheard reciting
10 friendly stranger tho outrageous pranl.s
including theft, assault and battery and in.
cendiarisIn, 20 which her "big brother
Peter was addicted. As an Offset TO the dis
grace Of this relationship, she dwelt with
sweet enthusiasm upon tho winning traits Of
her little sister, sally Pinkerr On being
questioned by her mother, il appeared that
this hypothetical brother and sister were very
distinct realities TO tho solitary child, nor for
long time would she drop them from the
lists Of kinship.
As q child, my record for truth telling and
ngenuOuness OF behavior was never i'm
peached, yet l recall instances OF mental
chicanery which, had they been made patent.
would have suillced to raise gravo doubts in
the minds Of my natural protectors whether
should not become a perjurer OF tho black
est stamp. Well do recall that dull. rainy
afternoon when, open air sports being out OF
tho ho.fuc7'ion. east t-1t for SONS novel cn
tertainmont indoors. / had beard Of the ex-
traOrdinary delusi0ns that had seized upon
relative Of mine while in the deirum Of a
fever. 1, too, would be delirious, ,ee visions
and talk wildly. ! succeeded 50 well at this
kind Of feigning that not only was my tender
mother alarmed, but myself became genu-
inely i'll, unncrvcd by the vividness OF my
own Pigments and the blood chilling charac-
ter Of my own incoherent utterancss. Also.
/ well remember being taken to the photog-.
rapher'- end the lugubrious result attending
the united efforts oil the artist. nay parents
and myself However exhorted 10 smile.
the record Of each experiment showed uni
form grimes o. pursed lips, saucer eyes and
slightly corrugated brOws Tho Infant
sphinx as this photograph was Gfterward
known in the family, was often clandestinely
inspected by me with extreme delight. Pc
fore and during the operation ] bad re-
solved thatif were % have mypiciure taken
/ would look noble Synonymous in my mind
with severe. That | had succeeded in my
design was the fond impression retained for
several years
pulse in children might BE- placed another
portrait which was lately shown me-that II
q laughing eyed, dimplish. coquattish Ialage
face. The lady whose child self is thus daint-
ily memorializcd tells me that the motive Of
tho sitter was 20 "look as though my sweet
heart had just kissed me" Itwas this sameelf
who, having been corrected 10y her mother,
conceived a plan for lacorating tho heart of
the injurious parent. Her eyes being at the
height Of their showery ft she caught up q
precious crimson bound picture book, and
bending over il, lot fan upon its admired cover
two great tear drops with infinite satsfac- /
ion watching tho spreading circles of stain /
which In future years should so poignantly |
-eproach the maternal despot The little red /
book is still extant, and have seen it, with /
"a twin Lieroglyphs expressive Of 50 much /
lavete and fnesse. Atlantic Monthly.