A Dutch Boy Fifty Years After

aster's comfort or convenience. Therefore, when Edward was told that Doctor Brooks was out, he knew he was out. The boy waited, and as he waited he had a chance to look around the library and into th

s. He reserved that bit of information for the

lad you had such respect for my dumb friends. For they are my friends, each one of them," he continued, as he looked fondly at the filled shelves. "Yes, I know them all, and love each for its own sake. Take this little volume," and he picked up a little volume of Shakespeare. "Why, we are the best of friends: we have travelled miles tog

lege to mark up a book. But to me, that's like having a child so prettily dressed that you can't romp and play with it. What is

but this is my own personal copy, and into it I talk and talk. See how I talk," and he opened the Book and showed interleaved pages full of comments in his handwriting. "There's where S

magazines and papers. I never write for publications. I always think of my church when something comes to

eat frame, for he regarded him in an amused way, and putting his hands on his girth, he said lau

reacher laughed one of those deep l

about myself. Tell me s

n coming to Boston, the rector of

ows! Well, and how d

gentleman went on until the boy mentioned

ty response. "Not a thing to do. I cleaned up al

st have come in a later mail. Well, if it will make you feel any better I'll go through them, and you can go t

any time you are in Boston, and spend a morning reading anything I have that you like. Young men do that, you know,

d him in an educational way. The boy told him he thought it did; that it furnished good lessons in

house, at the end of that f

ether you will see him at his best. Still, you may. And even if you do not, to have see

ips Brooks meant. But he was,

rom Louisa Alcott, and his greeting

" quite for all the world as if she were the one favored. "Now take your

while she said: "Now I shall put on my coat and hat, and we shall walk over to Emerson's house. I am almost afraid to promise that you w

s now the one thought of her life. Presently they reached Emerson's house, and Miss Emerson welcomed

aid, "and I fear it might not b

her what Phillips

he said,

rose and followed her, saying to the boy: "You

t returned, her eyes moiste

and at the threshold of the third, Miss

whose words had already won Edward Bok's boyish interest, and who was de

a wonderful quiet dignity, extended his hand, and as th

s with a loving pressure, and for a single moment the eyelids rose, a different look came i

oftly whistling and looking out as if there were no one in the room. Edward's eyes had followed Emerson's every footstep, when the boy was aroused by hearing a suppressed sob, and as he loo

merson left the window and, crossing the room, came to his desk, bowing to the boy as he passed,

Alcott say: "Have you read t

oward the speaker, rose with stately courtesy from his chair, and, bowing

to Miss Alcott's eyes, and she walked to the other side of the room. The boy did not know what to say or do, so he sat silent. With a delibera

e said, "that you might be able to f

his eyes lifted, and he asked: "C

the boy, "Th

Yes, he was here this morning. He will be here again to-

y: "You were

peated hi

the boy's astonishment. "Let me see. Yes, here

er part of the room, her wet eyes dancing wi

room had changed. How different the expression of his eyes as now Emerson looked at the boy! "And you have come all the way from New York

ominous low whistle once more, looked inquiringly at each, and dropped his eyes straightway to the

sonal souvenir of the meeting, he said: "Mr. Emerson, will you be so good as to wri

he asked

the boy, "your name:

name brought no res

want," he said finally, "and I

enses. But picking up a pen he wrote: "Ralph

alph Waldo Emers

copied letter by letter! At the word "Concord" he seemed to hesitate, as if the task were too great, but finally copied again, letter by letter, until the second "c" was reached. "Another 'o,'"

's eye caught the slip on his desk, in the boy's handwriting,

name? With pleasure. Ha

more from his pocket. Quickly turning over the leaves, Emerson picked up

ph Waldo Emerson's

at the instantaneous tr

this moment to say: "W

g to Miss Alcott he said: "It was very kind of you, Loui

e Alcotts. Good morning! Isn't it a beautiful day out?" he said, and as he shook the boy's hand there was a warm grasp i

boy was grateful that his last impression was of a

home in an almost unbroken silen

a, Miss Alcott, how

something to have seen him even so, than not to have seen him at all.

d--just five mo

ott, and other famous persons; and then, writing a letter of introduction to Charles Francis Adams, whom he enjoined to give the boy autograph letters from his two presidential forbears, John

a day-coach for the double purpose of saving the cost of a sleeping-berth and of havi