Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-01-04
The MelOdrama of Childhood.

From the Atlantic.
Lonely children particularly develop the
dramatizing faculty, creating companions, as,
lacking toys, they are ingenious at inventing
playthings. A brotheress and sisterless four
year-old of my acquaintance, taken upon a
journey, gave her fond mother some sensation,
the little one being overheard reciting to a
friendly stranger the outrageous pranks, in-
Guiding theft. assault and battery, and incen-
diarism. 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 were very distinct realities
to the solitary child. nor for a long tune would
see drop them from the lists of kinship.
As child. my record for truth telling and
righteousness of behavior was never im-
peached; yet / recall instances of mental CHI
chanery. which, had they been made patent,
would have sufhced to raise grave doubts in the
minds of my natural protectors whether |
should not become a peri urer of the blacklist
stamp. Well do recall that dull, rainy after
noon, when open-air sports being out of the
question, / cast about for some novel enter
tainment indoors. / had heard of the extra
ordinary delusions which had seized upon a
relative of mine while in delirium of fever.
l. too, would be delirious. see visions, and talk
wildly. l succeeded so well at this kind of
feigning that not only was my tender mother
alarmed. but L myself became genuinely
ill. unnerved by the vividness of my own fig
ments and the blood-chilling character of my
own incoherent utterances. Also, L well remem-
Der being taken to the photographers and
the lugubrious result attending the united
efforts of the artist" my parents-and my
self. However exhorted TO smile. the record
of each experiment showed uniform grimness
of pursed lips. saucer eyes and slightly CORFU
gated brOws. The ''infant sphinx" as this
photograph was afterward known in the fam
lily, was often clandestinely inspected by me
with extreme delight Before and during the
operation had resolved that if l were to have
my picture taken would look noble (synony-
nous in my mind with severe. That l had
succeeded in my design was the fond impression
retained for several years.
Beside this witness to the theatrical impulse
in children might be placed another portrait
which was lately shown me--that of a laughing
eyed, dimpling. coquettish Lalage face The
lady whose child-self is thus daintily memorial
lzed tells me that the motive of the sitter was
to look as though my sweetheart had just
kissed me-" 1t was this same elf who, having
been corrected by her mother. conceived
plan for decorating the heart of the injurious
parent. Her eyes being at the height of their
showery fit she caught up precious crimson
bound picture-book. and bending over il. let
fall upon its admired cover two great tear
drops with infinite satisfaction watching the
spreading 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, with its twin hieroglyphs ex-
pressive of so much ndiUete and JinesSe.