Year: 1869

l. may go, won I you


These words were uttered in a plaintive
and sadly entreating tone, the hands of the
speaker clasping the hands of the listener


1t was boy of seven years who lisped
them; beautiful boy, with fair, high brow,
around which there clustered a glorious
wreath of auburn curls with dark flashing
eyes cheeks rosy with health lips like the
cherries of summer, and voice like the birds
that taste them. There were tears in those
eyes at this time though, and the dimpled
mouth was quivering.


1t was a man of some five and thirty who
had listened to his plea a man who had been
of noble looks and princely bearing. Aye,
had been, for the blighting truth was written
over form and face. His locks were matted,
his forehead scowling, his eyes red but not
with tears there were burrows on his cheeks,
too, and british expression on his lips
Twice did the little boy address him ere he
answered. Then pushing the child rudely
from. him, he said, in stern voice, : No, no,
it's no place for YOU"


Again those fair small hands encircled the
knees.


"You 60, papa. Why can't too? Do let
me go?"


For moment the heart of the inebriate
seemed to awake from its sleep. He shud-
dered as he thought of the character of the
place his pure souled boy would enter He
took the child tenderly in his arms and kiss
ed him as of old, then putting him down he
said kindly:


"Y You must not ask me again to take you
there. 1t is no place for little boys" and
seizing his hat he hurried from the room.
murmuring to himself as he paced the way
to the brilliant bar room, =" and 40 place for
men either. Would to God | had never
gone"


For long time, Willie stood where his
father left him; then turning the few embers
that family glowed upon the hearth he sat
down in his little chair and resting his head
upon his mothers lap, he said earnestly:


g Nanny, why isn't that pretty store
good place for little boys? Papa loves to be
there"


1t was a trying question for the poor heart
broken woman. She had kept SO far from
her son the. knowledge of his fathers sim
She could not bear that he should look with
shame upon him, or that his pure aud gentle
heart should thus commune with so intense
a grief. Kindly she toyed with his long ring
lets, for a while, and then said endearingly.


g Papa knows better than you what is best
for bis little boy. When you get older you
will learn why he does not wish to take you"


Then rising, she cheerfully put down her
little one upon his bed, and put on her hood
and cloak.


" Mind the cradle, Willie, I'll come back
soon and then you shall have some supper
and nice fire to sit by, too" and taking
large basket of ironed clothes she went out
A wealthy mother would have been frighten-
ed at the thought of leaving so young boy
at night fall alone with an infant to care for.
md oi1a 70 81 10
Mrs. Nj knew well enough that she
could trust Willie with his sister, and as for
burning up, there was not enough coal TO
thaw his blue, stiff fingers. No, she did not
fear to go and leave him, for he had thus been
left many time, and he had lways obeyed
her. And he meant to now but poor little
fellow his thoughts would wander to that
brilliant corner store, whittier his father
went at evening and his brain was busy
with eager wanderings. He knew his father
always went at evening and he knew there
must be something he liked for he never
came home again till long after Willie was
asleep. What lay benin dthose scarlet cur
tains was mystery he sought to unravel.


At length he whispered eagerly, as if to
encourage a longing wish, g Papa used to
tell me if | wanted to know anything very
bad, to persevere, and / would find it out.
Now want to know what makes him love to
go there so. | know there must be pretty
things behind those windows. | shouldn't
wonderland his cheeks were glowing if it
was like fairy house. Why can'tI go?'


Poor Willie The temptation to know was
too strong to be resisted; so he hunted up
candle. for he was thoughtful little fellow.
and would not leave his little sister to the
only danger that could menace her, that the
flame might scare away the rats and mice.
should they sally out ere his return.


won't stay long, pretty DEAR" said he
pressing tender kiss. on her sleeping lips,
and drawing the blanket close over her fair
arms, " No, III come back soon, but | do
want to take one peep"


Swiftly bis feet bore him over the nave
ments, and in trice he stood before the cnr-
tanned door


" How light it is, and how they laugh and
talk 1t must all be very funny in there


A cold November blast swept around the
corner as he spoke, penetrating his worn
summer clothes, and causing his flesh To
quiver and his teeth to chatter.


:" don't believe they would hurt me. if
should go In awhile, | am such little how
and am SO cold here" he said as he pushed
the door carefully from him, slipping in and
closing it without breath of noise. For
moment be was bewildered with the Erbt
and clatter, and half wished he was awav
But the warm air was grateful to his limbs,
and finding that no one seemed to notice him,
he stole towards the glowing crate and spread
out his purple palms before the blaze. The
group of men that encircled the bar were
drinking when he entered. Soon, however.
they sat down their glasses and dispersed
about the room.


"Hallo," said one in a loud tone, as going
to the fire he spied little Willie; "What are
you doing here, my little fellow, who are
you, and what do you want?"


g Il don't want anything, only to see what
you do here. My name is Willie NJ.
My papa loves to come here. and it looked so
pleasant through the window, thought I'd
like to- But | must not stay long for ] left
the baby alone"