Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1853-1862, 1855-04-22
Mlistellaneous.
From the n. Y. Observer.
The two Mothers.
NUMBER ONE.

"Gocd morning, Lucy. | called for you to 60
with me and pay some visits. We ought to im
| prove this fine day. said Mrs Mason as she enter
ed the dining room OF her friend Mrs. Frost, and
found her arranging the books of small library
~ am really sorry, Jane, but | can't go. Ny
children are all coming home tomorrow, Harry
from college, and Ada and William from school,
aud must spend the day getting ready for them.
'What can you have to do? surely you have
enough servants, and need not exert yourself on
such a trifing occasion. A pleasant drive will
strengthen you to bear the confusion of house
full of noisy young people,"
mo, Jane i can't CO. have always resolved
if could help it, that no child of mine should fnd
any other place more attractive than home; that
evenings and home,' and even mothers pies and
cakes should seem better than any other This
resolution gives me some care and fatigue but many
precious moment of happiness"
Lacy, you are making slave of yourself. and
fear will spoil your family; For myself expect
to receive natural affection from my children with
out any such efforts on my part. You viii never
| get any thanks for it ALL
"Even if my children do prove ungrateful to me,
none can deny that their love of home is keeping
them from the temptations of this wicked city,"
Your children are naturally domestic: but sure-
ly you don't think your pies and cake have any,
thing to do with it,
"Belieye me, Jane, these things which appear so
small have much to do with our happiness. The
same Influences which attract and bind the husband
TO his home have their weight with the children
besides there is a friendship which a mother may
have with her child Independent OF, and superior
to, any natural Affection and perfectly consistent
with good government. This trust, will be nv
reward
'Come, Lucy, and leave Bridget TO put up those
books, and go with me to pay some visits"
Not to-day, but if you will stay with me, / will
show you how nicely have arranged my BOYS
ROOM"
No, no, must co. | could not have patience
to see you spelling your children"-so saying, Mrs.
Mason re-entered her carriage, while Mrs Frost
went on with her days work"
If you could have followed her you might have
seen her experimenting the arranging of Harry's
room The curtains were gracefully looped aside,
and the shades drawn up to admit cheerful light,
and the books taken from the drivers, and tastfully
piled the centre table. and every little ornament
arranged, and re-arranged, according to his taste
William and Ada were not forgotten. Many
slightly expressed wishes were remembered. A
new writing desk was unwrapped, and placed upon
the stand an agreeable surprise, aud several
choice books added to the little library
William loved music and fine flute, and some
al g.. L
hours, when the rooms had the inviting home-like
appearance the mother desired, she descended to
the kitchen, where the pies, and cakes were to be
prepared Just the kind home-sick children some
times think OF.
The next morning as Mrs. F. had placed bo-
quet Of spring flowers upon each of the cetre tables
voices were heard vocferating, where's mother?"
Warm embraces, and hurried questions followed
Everything was so pleasant, so home-like, 40
mother how lovely my room isl Is this my desk?-
and only see those blue curtains liked so we'll"
The boys were equally delighted. Harrys new
dressing gown and slippers were pronounced per
feet fit and Williams flute was just what he al
ways wanted At tea time Mothers bread and
cake were so good-'so different from any other
ments were few, and precious evening hours were
SPENT in which christian council and solemn prayer
burned deep into the souls of those half grown sons
Many would have smiled in derision could they
have looked into Mrs. Frosts parlor the last even
ing of vacation. Father, Mother and the little
ones were invited to concert, given by the chill
dreu' 1t was the result Of many whispered consul
49, oo1 Ia Ia fha
fate during the mothers busy morning hours, but
was kept secret until the eventual evening
Williams tune on the flute and Ada's song, were
loudly appauded. Choruses were sung in which
each Joined and last but not least little Bessy, too
young to perform scientifically, appeared alone,
and sung Happy Land A simple supper follow
ed the concert-when the family separated to sleep
well, and rise early for the next days journey.
Thus passed many vacations until the children
grew up to be men and women, while home still re-
mained the attractive Place. The steadiness of
Mrs. Frosts sons amidst city allurements, and the
cinging affection of her daughters, was mystery
to many. When the indugent father died. and re-
verses came, they only clung closer to home, and
mother and with united strength sustained the lit
tie ones and helped to keep up the same fres;de
joys laS arLE 45. s-s.-.a o,e
Mrs Frost's house may have lacked the perfect
order and style which never permits book mis-
placed, or thread upon the carpet, or child un-
der ten years OF age an hour from the nursery
but it was home which proved more attractive
to her boys than the lighted streets, club house
Her daughters learned to love their own freside
better than the gay parlor, place OF public en-
tcrtainment, while books, music, and lively Nre-
strained conversation took their place.
Their own intelligent homes, patterned after the
old model still bear witness to the fidelity of
mother who possessed the secret of making home
attractive. Aunt NATE.
BaSSwOOd Paper.