Our Boys and Girls.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 994, 20 March 1891, Page 6

Our Boys and Girls.

A CRADLE SONG FOR FATHERS. Hush, my baby, don’t you cry 5 Mamma’s coming by-and-bye. She has gone a-shopping, dear; Do not cry for papa's here. Mamma’s just gone down the street j C Gone to match a ribbon sweet. Shopping days are dreadful days ; Mamma hates ’em (so she says). ’Tis so tiresome turning o’er Fabrics in a draper’s store. Ladies do not like to shop ; They at home would rather stop. And they’re always grieved, I know, When they must a-shopping go. Do not fret my little one; She’ll return by set of sun. (So it is to be supposed) For the shops will then be closed.

HIS LITTLE GAL. One bright summer morning as I threw open the blinds of my sitting-room I saw an old man coming slowly up the walk, seemingly seeking someone or something. I answered his gentle tap at the open door. 4 JBe you the lady who lives hero ?’ ho asked, timidly. I replied that I was she. * I hate to trouble ye, ma’am, but have ye seen anything of our little gal? We call her Polly. She has brown eyes, and long yaller curls, and wears a blue drees and white pantalets. It ain’t but a few minutes since I seen her about, so I know she bo gone fur, but it seems like I ort to beep her in sight more now that mother’s gone.’ I had seen no child of that description, but thinking that she might have strayed too far for his feeble strength to follow I offered to go with him to help find her. He accepted my offer with thanks, and I put on my hat, and we started slowly up the shaded street. My companion chatted with me as we went along. He was 4 nigh 81 ’he said, and but for a touch of the 4 rheumatiz 1 was as well and strong a 3 over he had been. Ho was a handsome old man ; a little bent, but still taller than the average. His hair was fine, and perfectly white, and hung in long locks, making a silvery frame for his ruddy face and blue eyes. He told me a good deal about Polly; she was a good little thing, but of late she had taken to running away. Polly 4 favoured ’ her mother’s side, and she came from the handsomest family at this end of the valley. They were short-lived that family, and poor mother was the last to go. I supposed the little girl was Lis granddaughter, although ho referred to her as 4 my little darter.’ Wo were passing a comfortable-looking house with a great roomy yard at the back, where some children had made a miniature ring on the turf, and with a pony were having the gayest, noisiest sort of a time, playing circus. 4 Father 1 father!’ called a stout, middleaged woman, who came out of the door and down the walk to the gate. 4 It’s Mis’ Green, my darter,’ explained my friend.

4 1 hope he hasn’t bothered yon, madam. It’s only father, and he runs away if we don’t watch him pretty close.’ 4 Not at all 1 I was trying to help him find his little girl,’ I replied. *Oh ! that’s just his notion. Since mother died he isn’t quite himself here,’ tapping her forehead. 4 I’m Polly, and he forgets that I am grown and thinks he has lost me. If I only had a daughter now he’d bo more contented like, but my five is all boys, you see. Some days he wanders about in the churchyard there, hunting for my name among the tombstones. Goodness knows ! if them boys don’t quit breaking thei* necks with that circus out there he’ll find it, soon enough, but it will be a bigger mound than he is looking for.

The old man had quietly slipped into the house, and now came out with a faded dagueri*eotype, which he put into my hand, saying, 4 This is my little gal; my Folly.’ _ As I looked from tlie delicate little pictured face, with its long, fair curls, to the broad, good-natured features of the woman before me, I scarcely wondered that his weakened brain could not grasp their identity. Here, with a rush and a whoop, three youngsters came running towards us, calling ‘ Grandpa! grandpa ! come to our circu3, and see bow Bob can ride bareback, standing up. 4 Yes, yes, boys, I’m coming,’ he answered, and off he trotted after them. And I heard him asking as he went along, 4 Boys, has any of ye seen my little gal? We call her Polly. She has brown eyes and long yaller curls, and wears a blue dress and white pantalets. It ain’t but a little while since I seen her about, and I know she an’t fur off, but it Beems a 3 though I ort to keep her close by me, now that mother’s gone.’—Chicago Times.

He Remembered.—Teacher (to pupil in juvenile history class): 4 Now, Willie, you remember what I have told you about the battle of Waterloo, do you ?’ Willie: 4 Yes’m.' 4 Who won the battle V 4 The Duke of Wellington.’ 4 Who came to his assistance and helped him to win it?’ 4 A fellow named TJpgardson Atom.’ A five-year-old boy had been spending the afternoon at the house of one of his playmates. The little fellow came home full of stories about Jennie’s wonderful nurse, who, as it appeared, had said many curious things during the.afternoon. 4 Well, _ well,’said the boy’s father at last, 4 what is the nurse - French, German, or what ?’ 4 1 don’t know,’ answered Harry, 4 but I guess she must be broken English ; it sounded like that.’ Passer-by (to Tommy, who has just been fighting): * Wouldn’t your father whip you if he knew you had been fighting ?’ Tommy : 4 Well, that depends. If the other boy whipped me pop would- whip me, too; but if 1 licked the other boy pop would just say; ‘I wouldn’t fight if I were you, Tommy.’