The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1855-09-01
Gqe gnusrbol0 Circle.
THE FRETFUL MOTHER.

Banner, wi thout credit to any source. The
writer has touched upon a subject of Vi
tai importance, and presented the facts in
manner clear and impressive:
A few days since, as | seated myself in
car. my attention was attracted to group
who occupied a scat opposite to me. 1t con.
sisted ola lady and two children, one beau
tiful little boy of three or four summers, the
other pale, puny babe, of eight or ten
months. They had evidently been travelling
for some time. for they seemed very weary,
and the lady looked sad and carc-worn. My
sympathies arc always excited at the sight
of delicate woman, travelling along with
Two or three children, depending upon her
care, and had begun to tccl considerable
pity for the weary mother. when she NANTES
ted such spirit of Impotence, that turned
my sympathy towards the poor lite children
upon whom she wreaked her pctuancc.
Henry! keep your feet off my dress! -
said the mother, contracting her features in
to mass Of wrinkles, and striking at the
intruding morocco; "sit Still !" yocifcnttd
the same shril! tones. MA. are we close to
Ohio! said the child, in langnd, drawing
tone. sit still, and quit asking QncStions.'
was the ungcntle reply. At this moment,
the infant who had been sleeping upon the
reserved scat awokc with plaintiff cry-a
cry that went to my heart, and ongcd to
soothc the poor helpless babe, weary from its
long journey, pccvish of course-what child
is net, when taken from its quiet home, its
soft cradle, and familiar amusement totcd
about over the country-rockcd in the steam
tr cabn-.ioltd over the railroad, and fed on
hap-hazard fare, at irregular hours of the
day or night. "Oh dcarn' sighed the moth
or. catching it up and shaking it angrily.--
The child scrcamcd-spat, spat, came the
maternal hand upon It's delicate limbs. I
could scarcely retain my seat : my heart blcd
for the poor little dcicncclcss thing, thus
committed to the care of such a mother
MA | want to lcok out Of the window. y
"llcnry ~ and the ejaculation could not
have been more emphatic, if he had hung
over threatening prccipicc that moment. -
"Oh dear" sobled the little fellow, IL want
to get to Ohio" "!ct the baby alone ~
exclaimed the mother, as little Henry smil-
ingly Offered it a toy, and for moment for
got his grief in the pleasure of the infant, who
gazcd with baby wonder upon the little
earthcn dog, and stretched forth his hands
to grasp it. '1ou want to get lin into
tease, s'pose: keep your playthinss to your
self, or ii take them all away from you and
give them to him., said the amiable mamma.
Great way to teach children to lore one
another thought I. ASK your mother if
you may come over and sit with me, said |
to the little boy. "Nlay go, mag" Yes
60 along if you wish to- never did see such
an uneasy child. drew long breath
when the mothers consent was obtained she
seemed so DESTROYS to make the child miscra-
he, that itarcd she would not deign to grant
his request.
took the little fellow upon my lap and
fortunately my dress was not toonicc to come
in contact with his feet. gave him part of
my boquet, and asked him ifhe loved flowers.
80 yes, pretty flowers" said he.
We soon became very good friends. lie
could look out of the windows now and his
enthusiastic shouts at the sight of drove of
the whining one of few minutes before l
anoga. the green woods, the meadows. from
which we could hear the music of the sharp
ching scythcs, the bright winged birds, and
every other object which thought would
interest him. am sure that child was hap
pier during the few moments that We sat
together, than he had been for many day.
know he would have preferred going with
me when the cars arrived at the depot but
had no claim upon him, and so consigned
him to the rightful owner, wishing with Fam
ny Fern that was the mother Of all the lit
tie Borrowing ones.
This page of "human nature has too
many cOuntcrparts. Many a feeble, fre,ful
woman. wears the maternal mantle I'M
worthily. Oh? who but mother shall smooth
the thorny path of the little child? know
that there arc many flowers therein; but
childhood hath its gricfs, and they are as
great in proportion to the baby shoulder, as
the crosses of manhood to the athletic arm of
the middle age. Who but mother can
bear with intantlc faults and waywardncss,
and who can be expected to he patient, and
kind. and ailectionatc if a mother is not
shuddcr when look forward through the
life of little Henry and his brother. VIII
they love each other! Who will teach item!
Will they respect and honor their mother?
WhatIis she doing now to build for herself
a throne in their young hearts? Will they
love the beauties of nature, and delight in
scientific rescarch9 Will her silent Of pctu-
lent replies to their innocent inquiries, foster
the in9uisitiveness of their expanding souls
Who will lie to blame if they grow up idle,
quarelsome boys, and bring her grey hairs
with sorrow to the grave! Will they be so
very ungratcrul, if, weary Of the quarlels, and
frowns. and bitterness of such house as
that mother will make for them they seek
pleasure elsewhere, and leave the lone win
dow by her solitary, desolate hearth, to re-
fleet on the past, sown thickly with thorns
by her own careless hand!
Oh the wine cup, the gaming-table, the
haunt of vice, the dungeon, the galows-how
many of their victims are driven into their
jaws by the hand that should lead them into
the ways of pleasantness. and with its magic
touch throw such allurements around home
as to stay the wandering feet, and keep the
gem Of virtue pure in the tiresidc casket.
Oh, mothers if you wish to live in the
fond memory of your children, be gentle and
patient toward them in their carly years.
DO not alcnate thom from you BY moroseness
or impotence. Answer all their childish
queries, arouse curiosity, and stimulate in
vestigation in their young minds. Let them
know that you desire nothing so much as
their happiness and welfare. BE thou to
them the foud, faithful, judicious mother,