True American. [volume] (Steubenville [Ohio]) 1855-1861, 1857-03-25
8 8eantitnI Skettb.
From Arthur's Home Gazette.
THE CRUSHED BUD.
BY MRS. E. M. GUTHRIE.

BY MRS. E. M. GUTHRIE.
How many sad hours mothers may
unwittingIy bring to their home circle,
by failing 10 encourage the confidence of
their children! Fashion, friends, or 9TH
er ordinary considerations, should not
excuse the mother from listening to the
mental wants of her little ones and, lis
tening, she should seek earnestly to SYM
pathise with their Ingenious natures. II
is not STOPPING 10 study for the most ac-
curate replies to their simple inquiries,
nor waste Of time 10 learn how truth
will appear most lovely to their active,
restless minds. Cast thy bread upon
the waters, and thou shalt see it after
many days.
Mary, why are there no stars in the
day time?' said little Katie Grey to her
governess, as at twilight she sat folded
in her embrace beside the open case
ment. '... ,..
Because, love, the light that reaches
us from the sun is SO much stronger Than
that which comes to US from the. stars,
I'VE can not see them in the daytime"
Then there are stars in the sky all
the day long, only we do not see them ?
Is that the way it is, .Mary!
Yes. dear, and, sometimes when the
sun is eclipsed, that is darkened by the
shadows of some other heavenly body,
stars may be seen in the day time
After asking many arlless questions
which we're kindly answered by Mary,
little Katie nestled closer 10 her heart,
and thought'and though until her gentle
eyes closed in slumber. Then she
dreamed brilliant dreams Of bright stars,
that, like the angels, are ever stationed
above us, though we may not behold them
and was all unmindlul of the warm tears
falling fast upon her young head.
The governess wept, though not for
selfish sorrows, but for her little charge
the sleeper upon her bosom. A few
evenings before, Katie had asked this
same question, about the stars, of hel
mother, the elegant and accomplished
Mrs. Gray. The child had been sitting
silently upon the door stone for a full
half hour, philosophizing upon the prel
ty clouds and fair stars, but those were
childish mysteries she could not solve
alone, and she sought her mother to ask
her but Mrs, Grey was at her toilet
sparkling in diamonds and beauty, hcl
fancy busy in realm far from Katie''
thoughts. The festal hour and the adu
lation Of the gay multitude pre-. occupied
her mind, and making no reply to hel
little daughter, with ar impatient gesture
she bade her leave the room, for it wa.
time that children were asleep she said
Katie burst into tears but Mary, whit
passing at that moment, had heard tht
unthinking mother, caught the little gr
to her bosom, and bore her 10 her owl
apartment
As Mrs. Gray adjusted the last rose
bud in her beautiful tresses, deep blusl
overspread her handsome features, whicl
might have been mistaken for the glow
of'conscious loveliness. Did it not rath
er betray her guilt, and did she not only
confess herself unworthy the high trus
which the name of mother implies 7
Katie sobbed too violently to hear augh
about the stars thatlnight, SO the govern
ess soothef her wi,ha lullaby until sh
fell asleep. The carriage called for Mrs
Grey who hastily kissed the brow Of tn,
sleeping child and, with that questions
BILE flush upon her face withdrew. Whe
the sound Of wheels had died in the dis
tance, il grew very quiet in that liltl
room. Katie slept so silently and he
cheek was SO very pale one might hav
supposed her breath had ceased, but 70
the conyulslye .sobs that broke the still
ness as Mary bent over her. /,
The goyerness was a gentle, pious gil
and she prayed that pleasing dream
might come to the sleeper's pillow ant
as if angels were hoverlng around to ar
swer, that little face became a radiar
With u plotsdHl Sihtes lne sODOln
ceased, and the shadow Of the souls fir
great grief, passed from that sunny brow
but Katie was not free to tell her pretl
thoughts In her mothers presence frol
tlatiday. 1se
However, Mrs. Grey seemed truly
regre, having wounded the feelings of hi
little daughter, still she regarded her {
BY far too sensitive. She was confdeI
that when she was herself child, /
light thing would not have troubled he
She thought Mr.. Grey-to whom 81
apologetically related the circumstanc,
ATTACHED altogether too great impo
tance TO a matter 50 tfiyial;' she had !
doubt that Katie herself had forgotten it
and she deemed it 'very unwise to !
childfen regard their wants as paramoul
toillose Of older people,
Poor Mrs. Grey, you did not thir
how deeply little Katie's heart was a
sorbedin ilef twilight musings how 81
felt her soul expanding with newly aw