Wheeling times and advertiser. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1839-1849, 1846-10-02
WHOM DO you LOVE BrsT

One afternoon, towards sunset. a Young
child was playing in garJen with bis father
aud mother. The former on his hands and
iect was gal'oping about on the grass with
ms boy on his back; at another time the moth.
er, seated on bench, would trot him on her
Knee; or else both parents would play hide
snd-seek with him: aud when one found out
the others retreat, all would burst out laugh
ing. Alter many leaps and much play.
ali sol down upon the grass; the mother gave
the BOY beautiful peach aud piece OF bread;
the father told him a beautiful story aud the
child was hsppy.
In the midst Of this family scene, friend
passed BY; he stopped, gazed a moment at this
interesting scene, and approaching, said 10
the child:
My little friend, whom do you love best.
papa or mamaf
The question seemed to puzzle tho child;
Tor he stopped eating. and dropped the hand
which was conveying the morsel 10 his mouth,
but did not reply.
Answer me my dear said the friend
whom do you prefer, your father or your
mothrrf
The child, as much perplexed as ever. turn
ed ms eyes towards his father and then to-
wards hrs mother, as il To ask them 10 help
nim out oil his difficulty. The thing was hard
De well loved, each was too Just TO be willing
To receive the preference. Then a struggle oil
generosity arose between them; the father
enumerated 10 his son all the motives he had
iof loving his tender mother; and she rsmin,s
ed hlIn oi all the kindness " hich his father
had bestowed upon him.
Som;, answer The gentleman said the
hther, smiling. do you not love your mama,
VINO every morning wakes you with a kiss,
and pays TO God To bless her little son, aud
teaches ysu To pray tool'
The child cast look of gratitude towards
his mother. end she replied:
Yes, answer The gentleman but first re-
member who Teaches you how to read, aud
VINO tells you ptetiy stories; yes, think OF
your dear iathsrst
The child stretched bic hand to the other
side; the father took il aud said;
NOW, answer, my child, do you not prefer
your mother, who nurses YOU when YOU are
SICK leeds YOU when you are well, and is at
fourth repastf
The child glanced at his fresh bread and
1Pc peach; his mouth waierrd. lie was go
ing to answer. when his mother added:
Mamma often sColds you, and that you
know you do not like
The isIher replied; Papa whips YOU when
you are naughty, aud more than once has made
you cry
The child hung his head aud did not seem
In such hurry To answer
My deer, said the stranger again, Il am
wsiting Tor you answer; whom do you love
best. your father os your molhsrf
Still the child kept silence.
On! II must be your dear father said the
mother, who earns the bread give you, by
ais labor.
No. rather your kind mother interrupted
Ihe father; Tor she deprives herself Of many I,
lhlngs 10 please you. Il was she that made
he red bali luT you,
III was iaiher that msis your bat
Yes, but mother plays every day with YOU i
True; bot father takes you out walking
Mother kisses YOU
Father caresses you
Bat answer said the stranger. i
The child started, raised his heBd, opened
ais arms
Well, my child whom do you love bcs,,
"a theT OF moiherf
The child's lace Enlightened up with JOY; the
answer sprung from his heart; and scarcc had
The stranger finished his question when the
child exclaimed, both slike!'