Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1849-12-19

LETTERS TO GIRLS.

that should have to read you a long
one about minding you mothers. OF
course, you all know the divine com.
mand--"Honor thy father and thy mo-
ther," but very few obey it. An un
dutiful child is an odious character, yet
few young people feel the affection for,
and show the respect and obedience to
their parents, that is becoming, right,
and beautiful, Did you ever sit and
think about the anguish your mother
endured TO give you being? Did you
ever recount the days and nights OF
care, toll, and anxiety you cost herr
Did you ever try to measure the love
that sustained your infancy and guided
your youth? Did you ever think about
how much more you owe your mother
than you will be able TO pay? Ifso,
did you look sour and cross when she
asked you to do nything-did you ever
vex or ever disobey her? If you dds
it is a sin Of no common magnitude
and shame which should make your
cheek burn every time you think of it.
1t is sin that will be sure to bring its
reward in this world. ! never knew an
undutiful daughter make happy wife
and mother. The feeling that enables
any one to be unkind to mother, will
make her who INDUCES it wretched for
life. If you should lose your mother,
you can little dream how the memory
ofevery unkind look or undutiful word,
every neglect Of her wishes, will haunt
you. could never tell you how some
times feel in remembering instances of
neglect to my mother and yet, thanks
TO her care, | had the name of being a
good child. She told me shortly before
She died, that had never vexed her
by any act of disobedience, and would
not resign the memory of her approba-
ton for the plaudits of a world, even
though knew it was her love that hid
the faults, and magnifed all that was
good. ! know how many things
might have done to add to her happi
ness and repay her care, that ! did not
do :; but the grave has cut off all oppor-
tunities of rectifying mistakes or atom
ing for neglects. Never, never lay past
for yourself the memory of an unkind-
ness to, or neglect of your mother. If
she is sick, how can you possibly get
tired waiting upon her, how can you
trust any one else to take your place
about herq No one could have filled
her place to your peevish infancy and
troublesome childhood. When she is
in her usual health, remember she is
not so young and active as you are
Wait u pom her. If she wants her knit
ting, bring it to her, not because she
could not get it herself, but to show
that you are thinking about her, and
love to do something for her. Learn
to comb her hair for her sometimes. 1t
will make You love to be near her
Bring her drink, fix her cap, pin on
her kerchief, bring her shoes, get her
gloves, or do some other little things
for her. No matter how active and
healthy she may be, or how much she
may love to work, she will love to have
you do any little thing that will show
yon are thinking of her. How
should love now to get down on the
floor, and put the stockings and shoes
on mothers dear, fat, white feet, or to
stand half an hour combing and toying
with her soft, brown hair! Girls, you do
not know the value Of your mother, if you
have not los. her. Nobody loves you, no.
body ever will love you, as she does. Do
not be ungra.eful for that love, do uoi repay
it with GOODNESS, or curse of GOODNESS will
rest upon you, which you can never shake
of: ~Unloved and unloving you will live
and die, il you do not love and honor your
father and mother.
One thing, never call either cold man"
or :'old woman" 1t is quite habit in the
country, for young people to name their
parents thus. This is rude, impudent, and
undu.ful. Any eyed person is an old man
or an old woman. There should be some
.hing sacred, something peculiar, in the
word that designates parents. The tone
CT voice in which they are addressed shonld
be af1ectionate and respectful. A short surly
answer from child 10 parent, falls very
harshly on the ear of any person who has
any idea Of filIal duty. Be sure, girls, that
you each win for yourselves the name of
du,ful daughter. ]! is SO easy to win, that
no one should be without it, 1t is much
easier to be good daughter than good
wife and mother. There are no conflicting
interests between parents and child, as be-
tween husband and wife. child's duties
a,e much more easily performed than pa
rents; SO tina. she who is good daughter
may fail to be good wife or mother but
she who fails in this first most simple reia-
ton, need never hope to fill another we'll.
Be sure, then, tina. you are good daughter.
1t is the bes. preparation for every other
station, and will be its own reward The
secret you dare not tell her is dangerous
secret, and one that will be likely to bring
your sorrow. The hours you spend with