The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1905-01-18
The Child


had them and did not seem to regard
1t as anything so wonderful. even
when they were cuddled and kissed
and loved in that fond, foolish way
some mothers have.
The Child remembered one time-a
time so golden and glorious that,
while life should last. the memory of
it could never be lost-when he had
stopped in" for one of the boys on
the way to school. The morning was
cold, and the boys mother, a plump,
happyfaced little woman, had him put
on his new red mittens-much against
his willard had tucked the great,
soft, cream-silk muffier snugly inside
his overcoat collar.
The boy had wriggled impatiently,
anxious to be off, for the snow was
just right for packing" and he was
rather bored by his mothers care for
him.
The Child had looked on with his
serious gray eyes as she caught the
restless little figure to her and kissed
his round cheek. Perhaps she caught
the wistful look in the Child's gaze,
for she slipped her arm about him and
kissed him. too, upon his thin cheek,
which colored family with surprise
and pleasure. And then they had
gone out into the snowy streets and
away to school, the boy looking bit
annoyed and ashamed at what she
had done, and the Child silently. with
a warm glow in his heart that had
never been there before.
That night he clasped close in his
arms the spare pillow and laid his
cheek against it in the darkness. He
whispered to it soft, incoherent
words OF love and tenderness, and
called it Mother" At last he fell
asleep with his slender arms clasping
1t still, and through his quaint little
dreams fitted the boys mother with
her smiling face-the mother who had
kissed him.
Martha Jane. the housekeeper, COM
ing to tuck the Child in more warmly.
found him so, and stood looking at
him with uncomprehending eyes. Mar
tina Jane had never had a child, and
she knew little of boys.
What a queer little fellow he is,
to be surel" she said to herself. Now,
whatever he is hugging that pillow
forl It's too ridiculousl" She gently
took it from the Child's arms and laid
it smoothly in its place, then went
AS he grew more at ease with pen
and ink, the Child began to write little
letters to an imaginary mother.
Dear mamma" he would say, Il
had lot OF fun to-day, snowballing
with the boys, l wish yod could have
been there to see me. | could thro |
most as good as emmy of EN-. l wish |
,ould see you very much. l try to be
good, for | no you want me to. Your |
own little boy. DONALD"
Or, Dear Mother: | was permoted |
.o-day and teecher sayes I'm doing
inc. Erwards mother kist him four l
lines cause he is in the forth graid
wish you could kiss me four times"
One day the Child's father. oversee
ng the repapering Of the little room.
,hanced to open the small drawer of
he table beside the small white bed.
lie sat down upon the bed and read
hem through-the piteous little let
ers. His eyes were misty and his
hroat ached when he was through.
Poor little chap!" he whispered, as
lie put them back. and then he went
own stairs and shut himself in his
library.
From a drawer in his secretary he
rev forth faded photograph and
Doked long at the woman's face upon
t-the same serious eyes, the same
mouth that he saw in the
'hild's face every day. 1t was pa
lent face, full of sad wistfulness. Had
e loved her enough, he wondered?
Ie had thought so, but those we're
usy years, years of money making
nd neverceasing grind. Perhaps the
tile thing had felt lonely and neg
scted. He wondered. with a vague
ain at his heart, il that could be the IA
aason the Child's face was so full OF
-istful sadness.
0ae day he called the Child into
he library and took him upon his
nee-an unusual mark OF affection
18th him.
Donald" he said. Il want you to
,ok at this picture and tell me what
Oh think"
He lifted photograph from the ta-
Ie and held it before the Child. It
as young face. happy in its youth 7
il girlishness. glad with the JOY Of
wing. Perhaps there was some slight
to the face OF Edwards
other. who had kissed him. for his
res lighted up as he looked. Then he
oked up at his father. Il like her.
. said simply.
The father caught the Child to him [
ith an impulsive gesture. so do /. 4
onald." he said. She's sweet and I
sautiful and dear and-she liked me. c
oi" Z
He laid bearded cheek against the Il
aild's fair hair and looked dreamily Q
the pictured face. The Child leaned 5
lck against the broad breast and
.~-1 hts ora, Tht- 49, ....... =.