Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1853-03-24
BY E. p. WALTON & son

The first year of welded lie passed A.
way, and new chord was awakened. Ma
ry had become mother and as she pres
sed the babe to her bosom, new hopes were
aroused. The clouds which had gathered
around her seemed passing away, aud the
cheering sunbeams again broke forth. The
manifest solciiude of her husband in the
hour Of danger the affection with which he
had gazed on the countenance Of his first
born, were promises ofhappy days to come.
But, alas these hopes we're but illusory.
All that father could do for the welfare of
an infant was scrupulously performed, but
IT'S expanding intellect, its innocent playful
ness, soon remained unmarked--apparentl
uncared for.
Is he not lovely p exclaimed the fond
mother, as the babe stretched his little hands
and crowed a welcome as the father enter
ed
lie seems to be a good healthy child
was the quiet reply. see nothing parti-
cularly lovely in an infant six months old,
aud if | did would not tell 1t so. Praise
is very injurious to children, and YOU should
school yourself from the first, Mary, to re-
strain your feelings, and utter no express
slons which will have tendency to foster
The seli-esteem common to US ALL Teach
your children to perform their duties from
ID higher motive than the hope of praise
\ chill like that Of nid-winler came over
the heart Of the wife as she listened to the
grave rebuke.
There was truth in the words Our du-
ties should be performed from higher mo-
lives lhan the appreciation Of our fellow
men but that lule word Of praise from
those we love-sureiy surely 1t cannot be
huruuL 1t is one Of hie's brightest sun
beams, encouraging the weak, soothing the
long Suffering, bringing rest to the weary,
hope Co the depending.
Something of th,s Mary longed to urge,
but her husband had already turned away,
and the words died on her lips
Time passed on Another and another
child bad been added TO The number, until
four bright liule faces were seen around the
fmly table The father seemed uuchaug-
al. Increasing years bad altered ucuhor
tie outer or lbe inner man, but ia the wife
aud mother few would have recognized the
Wurm-Aeaued, impusive girl. who ten years
before had left her fathers home, with
burht visions .of the future floating before
her youthful mind
" hence came that perfect calmuess Of
demeauor. that almost stoica indifference
Ca OH that was passing around herl TO
husband, children and ser ants she was the
same. Their comfort was cared Tor, the
routine OF eatly duties strictly performed.
but always wiih that cold, liieless manner,
strangely at variance with her natural dis
pcsIuon.
but ile change had come GRADUALLY, God
the husband noiced II not TO hun, Man
had only grown Il ore matronly, and, wisely
laying aside the friyolity OF girlhood had
acquired the sedaieuess of ripper years-
True, there were moments WHEN hls indil-
ference was somewhat annoying. Although
he never praised, be often blamed, and bis
i-hie,t word Of rebuke was at first always
met with gusl of tears, but now there Was
no slgn of emotion; the placid couuteuance
renamed unchanged aud quietly he was
told lhJt bis wishes should he attended to.
Ceuruly ,his was all that be could desire,
hui Doe would have liked TO feel that hs
pleasure or dlspleasure was a matter of more
consequence than II now appeared TO be.
And yet the warm affections Of The heart
were not all dead. They slumbered-were
chilled, paral, zed, starving for the want OF
their proper aud natural noufishment, bot
there was still life, and there were times
when the spirit again thrilled with rapture,
as the loving arms of childhood were twin
cd around the mothers neck, or the curly
head rested upon her bosom.
Bat To the little ones, as to the others,
these was the same cold uniformity OF man
ueT, want Of that erdearIng tenderness
which forms so close tie between mother
and child Their health, aud the culiiya-
ton of their minds, were never neglected,
but the education OF the heart remained uu-
cared for, and the spot which should have
doomed with good aud true affection, was
but wilderness of weeds. The two cid
est children were promising boys of seven
and nine Years DID, Full of health, and
buoyani, although constantly repressed spiT-
MS, they thought not and cared notion aught
save the supply Of their bodily wants; but
with the third child, the gentle Eva, 1t wa.
far Otherwise. From infancy her litlle frame
had been SO lfall and delicate, that 1t seem
ed as II the spirit was constantly struggling
To leave ITS earthly tenement; but her hltt
year was rapidly approaching, aud stiil She
fingered blessed minister Of love in that
cherries home.
How wistlully she gazed upon the moth
er's face as she unwearledly performed do,
macy little offices necessary for her com,
iort, but ever with ihat same lrigld, unchan
gIug manner. How earnestly she longe,
for that manifestation Of tenderness which
she had never felt. Even the stern fathe
spoke to her in gentler aud more subdue,
tones than was his wont, aud would some
times stroke the silky hair from her whit,
forehead, and call her his poor child
But 1t was the foudness of mother'i
I love for which tie little one yearned, an(
with unerrlng instinct she felt that benea,l
/ thai calm and cold exterior. the waters O
/ the fountain were stlll gushing. Once
when after a DAY of restless pam she ha,
sunk into an uneasy slumber, she was a
reused by the ieryent pressure ofthat moth
er's kiss, aud through her halfopeuinq eye
lids she perceived the tears which wer,
flowing over her pale face. la an lnstan
! the arms of the aiecuonate child wer,
ciasped about her neck, aud the soft VOC,
! whispered, -
Dearest mother, do you not love YOU