The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1855-08-09
From the National Era.
A SHORT STORY WITH A MORAL
pY ELLEN c. HOBBS.

were wont to bow before The hOafy mead,
and, by gentle, uncalled, for assiduities,
strow roses in the old mans tottering path.
But those kindly customs of our puri-
tan ancestors have passed away. Tie
world grows selfish, as it grows old and
agc-dimmed eyes must turn homeward for
stays to their trembling hands and totter-
ing limbs. Here should they find the full
fiment of the first commandment with
promise.
No true, womanly soul ever withdrew
her gentle hand from her poor old father
or mother; no manly heart ever forgot the
home loves of his wayward childhood, or
ceased to hear the echoes of fond moth
er's prayers. Often the cares Of this
world, and the deceitfulness of riches may
choke up the inborn affections Of narrow
souls; but few and far between is the
fondly loved child, who can be so untrue
to himself or his Maker, as wholly to for
get the mother who bore him. i
Yet even with the holiest dictates of our
reasons and souls. as with the wider appll-
cation of the commandment, has Fashion
insnuated her poisonous influence and
tie son, perchance, who left his fond par
ent's humble home reluctantly and tear
fully, TO make his way in the world, for
,une favors, to welcome his rustic mother
to his own luxury, with the same cordial
embrace with which he lefther inhis child
hood home. tIerdm old eyes, perchance,
do not catch readily the meaningless cour-
tcsics of life; nevertheless, they look none
the less lovingly upon her child than when
they watch over his helpless infancy
Her withered hands may be large and bo-
ny, and never have known a jewel; but
none tie less gently did they smooth the
weary pillow, or battle tie heated brow, in
the dependent days of boyhood. All !
she's tie same fond mother still; her age
and work bent form, clad in rustic garb,
conceals heart full of never-dying love,
and ready for new sacrifice.
And, thanks to the Great Being who
gave US the commandment with promise,
now and-then there stands up noble man.
true to his inborn nature, who, throwing
off the trammos of Fashion, however wide
the gulf which separates him, in the
worlds eye, from the humble poverty OF
his boyhood--who is not ashamed to love,
before his fellows, the humble mother
who gave him birth.
"My Mother-permit me to present
her to you," said an elegantly-dressed,
noble-looking young man to friend Tor
whom he had crossed crowded drawing
! room, with his aged parent leaning on his
arm. There was dead silence for full
five minutes. The moral beauty OF the
) picture peIvaded every soul, and melted
away the frostwork from world-worr
hearts. Twas the old foreground OF
fashionable summer resort, whittier hosts
J. had come, with all their selfish passions
T. to seek in vain for health and pleasure
n But here was a variaton-bit Of truth t.
). nature-in the motley mingling of colors
c From little brown farm house, pent Il
: by forests, way up in the Granite State
t. that young man had gone forth with BRAY
is heart and stalwart arm; strong, like HI
.e native hills, he had already made a nam
" for himself. Polished circles opened 70
n him, and gentle lips bade him welcome
|. Yet none the less carefully his mani
- arm support his homely, tottering oil
}. mother; none the less softly and tenderl
" did he call ber-queer though she look
y ed" my mother" amongst the prou
y beauties who had striven for his favor
,r Her dress was antiquated, for the goo
,e Gifts of her son had been sadly mutilate'
j b. rustic hands; yet only one hearteles
c, grl Uttered, despite the broad -frilled ca
oe and wellkept shawl. Her voice was rougl
K and often her expressions coarse and IL
: elegant. Used to the social mug athom'
she asked for her neighbours goblet
t,ble, and was guilty Of many like vulgaI
Ties. She was not an interesting womal
- save in her vigorous age, and hen beaunl'
=! love Of her son.
u Yet, for week, the son watched ovt
% :, that mother, and gained for her klndne'
H. and Difference, in the very face OF tashlol
= = walked with her, dove with her, helPe
'n her, like an infant, up a difficult mounial
n n side of twenty miles, humored her evel
% caprice, and each day found some ne
u friend, whose heart he might thrill
w those gentle words, "my mother.
at at To him she was the gentle mother wi
pIe p rocked him to sleep in childhood AM
Sc Sc true to the great commandment she Ia
IN taught thin, lie was making the path smoo
~ 81 for her dependent years
r One there was, in the gay throng' tho
re eyes flashed haughtily, as they rested {
re- re- the homely, toil-worn woman put s
=, " was noble soul, and truth and right ga!
~ ~ ed an instant victory over lifelong prel
~ -, dices. Quietly and elegantly she CROSS
"a "a the room, laid d'her snowy little hand WI
~ such gentle, thrilling touch, on the ar
of her lover, and whispered WORD In
car
he viii she ever forgot the look Of loV
ts triumph in his eyes, or the melting &c
= tleness Of his tones, as he presented