Eaton Democrat. [volume] (Eaton, Ohio) 1843-1856, 1854-09-21
THE CARELESS MOTHER.
BY JANE WEAVER.

BY JANE WEAVER.
--~--~~~-~-~--~~>>~~~-~->~~------
"I wonder if Mrs. Saunders knows how that
servant treats her child 7" sa id Mrs. Cunsn,
as she sat at her parloT window one day, di-
Iecting, as she spoke, the attention Of her sis
ter TO nursery maid, who was occupying a
window opposite. The sash was wide up, a nd
though the bleak March wind blew directly in
the maid held young infant in her arms. al
am sometimes tempted to tell MIS-. Saunders OF
OF the girls eareleSSncss for the idle thing sits
there, with that poor child, every tins the
motrer goes out. But we don't visit, and
Mrs. Saunders mig ght think was interfering"
In great cities, as many readers doubtless
are aware, ladies' often live opposite to each
other for years, without being acquainted.
al wouldn't have anything 10 do with IT,"
replied Mrs. Curran's sister; who was good
type OF the selfish, prudent lady; tits Mrs.
Saunders business tn see that she has good
servant; and besides she might think you were
unjust TO the girl. never knew any good to
come Of playing the good Samaritan in matters
of this kind"
"Perhaps you're right" answered Mrs Cur
ran, only half convinced; "but it makes my
heart ache 10 see the poor little thng.-Ips
never clothed sufficiently warm; and, when
The window is up, if looks blue with coId,"
"lt's first child" replied The sister, sen
ieniionsly, going on with her crochetiing
"when Mrs. aunders has hall dozen, she Il
know beller."
"a great strong GIRL" Indignantly cried Mrs
Curran, "to sit there unconcernedly, as if the
dear, poor babe could resS; cold as well al
heTselfw ~
"Softiy, softly, Mrs. Impetuous," said the
humored sister: "Mrs Saunders can't be SO
blind as not 10 know the real state of the case
and, IN that event, she would consider yUul
interference as an impuation on heras moth
er."
Much more was sa i'd; but Mrs Cunan's be-
nevolent purpose was overruled princip ipally
il must be confessed, on the pea last advanc.
ed.
Injustice, however was done by that plea
10 MIS-. Saunders. She was young and mex.
perienced had robust health herself; beievet
her nursery maid 10 be prudent, because tn.
girl hat come well recomme nded; and had re.
manned ignorant Of the exposure of her infant
because, though dozen neighbors had seer
the servants criminal folly,no one cared to az
sumo The responsibility Of interfering.
No Mother could have loved her child bettel
than Mrs. Saunders. To the extent of he
knowledge, she did all she could TO rear i
beautifully; AMI lfthe babe was sick for ever
half day, would not let tgo out Of her arms
But, when the child seemed well, she was &C
custorned for hour or Two daily, 10 wall
out fol exercise and fresh air: o CONNIE nda
Bile hsbit, end one indirectly beneficial TO th
infsnl--but which, as We have seen,le TO III
exposure Of the babe 10 the chiIlest wind @
March. The fault was, therefore, not in tn
want OF love, nor in leaving the infant 10 see
necessary exercise for herself, but in beiievin
too implicitly in The recommendations he
servant had received as prudent nurse.
A day or two subsequent TO tie conversaio
we have recoroed, a physicians carriage stop
ped at the door Of Mrs. Saunders. There va
neither servant nor infant at the window tina
afternoon, nor had the mother been seen to e
out.
I'm afraid Mrs. Saunders baby is sick.
said Mrs. Curan. "Irs the time it's at In
window with its nurse"
"Likely enough" retor'ed her sister. ''Suc
exposure wo Id make most Oft sick..'
"How wish knew the mother" answsrs
the kind-heared Mrs Curran. "Poor thing
remember how suffered, when my first chill
was i'll; and she's just ss inexperienced, W.
no doubt, as | was then"
Tie next day, when Mrs. Cuuan went
| her chamber window, after dressing she say
the opposite house closed, and the blind
drawn down. The child as she learned on in
quiry, had died in the night, from an attack c
Group.
"Oh MI had onlv warned the poor mothe
in time" she said, bitterly.
The almost heart broken mnther heard tn
truth respecting her servant when it was to
late.
"Oh! ifI had been more CAREFUL" she erie
in angush, "and seen for myself that the nurs
was trustworthy. But now, no care can Civ
me my baby again. No, yer, never %
Thus both reprOached themselves, and both
alas had cause. But the remorse Of neithe
could bring back the dead. Reader, are yo
a careless mother, or an over-prudent neigh
bo: