The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1854-04-19
Prom the Olive Branch.
A CONTRAST.

From the Olive Branch.
A CONTRAST.
"Ah! Ned, Ned, you are sad, wild
fellow"
$50 may mother says; any how,
don't | do credit to her trimming 70
mo. my boy" said the silyer.hair-
ell old man :" | remember your mo-
ther when she was sbonny lassie.' .
Her cheeks were like to ripe apples. on
which the crimson was daintily spread
SO as not to shame the white. Her
eye was full and bright, not dim with
sorrow, as il is now. Some great grief
must haze changed her SO sadly. Her
rounded limbs and dainty foot, her
beautiful throat, aud white. dimpIed
arms, | well remember. And she has
been kind mother; her counsels, like
morning dews and evening showers,
have fallen upon your way and yet,
Ned, you call her the old woman
All, boy, il was not so in my time"
80 WELL" said Ned, tossing his hand
some head, and hastily thrusting back
the brown and glossy curls !" Pm GO
Ing to get married aud be a dutiful son.
Nobody can say neglect my mother,
at any rate; though perhaps | am liz.
tie rude"
did you send that sugar, to,day,
and the other little articles | ordered
for mother I" asked Ned Ellis of his
pretty young bride. as they sat toge-
ther intheir neat cottage home.
/" | declare, Ned, l forgot it," his
wife replied, blushing; was so busy
finishing my dress for the ball that Il
slipped my memory"
Mother wanted them last week
sugar, and salt, and tea, and coffee,
and about every thing else, she was out
Of: what a stupid dog | am. to forget
so; here, Sam-Ned-Jack, where are
your what, not one Of them at home 2"
They have gone to husking fro
lie, | believe" said Mrs. Ellis; 81 in
tended to send those articles before
they went, but have such memo.
ry.S
Ditto to that" chimed in Ned;
/" but | must 60 round and see the old
lady. haven't even called to know
whether she is sick or we'll"
The widow sat over scanty fire,
watching the Kissing water, as it spout.
ed and fell from the little tin tca,ket-
tie. A loaf of bread stood on the small
table at her side. Her creamer was
empty-the bowl, minus sugar-nobut.
ter-no little luxury-nothing but the
crust-the wee, white loaf, ,-and the
scrap of tea that busted the bottom of
the ancient silver teapot.
The widow bent closer over the fire.
and there were tears in her aged eyes.
!" He should have thought Of his old
mother" she murmured, fdgetting,
with nervous hands, about her cap rib
bon; |" but then, being jest married so;
| suppose ought TO consider; he al
ways was little vida little wild |;
but he has got good heart, know he
has; !; still, he shouldn't ha' forgotten
his old mother"
The poor old lady leaned back, and
crossed her hands upon her bosom.
Her thoughts were with the past. How
had that golden head nestled againsther
heart! How had those ever-laughing
blue eyes drawn smiles from her own,
even in lonely widowhood. Here she
had watched him as he prattling tod
died about her knee-the treasure of
her life-the blood of her very heart
the apple of her eye. And after
years had passed, she remembered the
often seIf-denials-the scanty meal
the patched garment-the old shawl,
colored and recolored-the faded bon
net-all beautiful as jewels to her,
because they purchased the great gift
Of education for her boy. And after all
this he had neglected his old mother.
o, shame! ungrateful manhood. that
can so repay love tender as the love of
an angel.
Look upon another scene.
A bright, noble face, was that of
young Arthur Nc Lane. His eyes were
Yividly dark-his hair rolled back in
glossy curls from manly brow. The
seal of earnest life enstamped that
fresh young countenance the soft light
of love enkindled it as he spoke in
soft, low tones to the gentle being BY
his side.