Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1859-11-04
GcIcttc0 .AlistcI!onD.
"MoTHER MADE IT."

\ few weeks since, while in one of the
beautiful inland cities Of Wisconsin, an
incident occurred which awakened in my
mind train Of reflections which possibly
may be written and read with advantage
vas hurrying along the street when
my attention was arrested by the appear
anco of a little boy on the side Of the
pavement selling candy. He was not
really beautiful, nor was he decidedly the
reverse. His age was about nine years
his clothes were old and faded, but well
patched. His candy was spread upon a
coarse white cotton cloth, neatly stretched
over what had been japanned server.
He was surrounded by small group of
boys, evidently belonging to different
grades of society.
As | came nearly opposite to him the
oft-reiterated interlude, Candy, sir ?"
fell upon my ears, and, although OPP
posed to the excessive use of candy, |
stepped aside to patronize the light-haired
pale, freckled, homespun little rcprescn-
tative Of trade. | purchased of him,
partly for his encouragement, but with
particular reference to the friendship of
the little folks Of The family with whom ]
was a temporary guest.
The candy was as white as the cloth
beneath it, being free from the poison
Gus coloring ingredients SO extensively
used in the confectionery art. tasted
it, and found it delicately favored and
very nice.
Ny boy" said I, "your candy is
very good, let me have a little more.
Immediately saw that my remark had
awakened in his young heart emotions
which, in themselves, were quite abstract
from the candy trade. His countcnance
beamed with JOY as he raised his large
eyes, sparkling with delight, and OBJ
served in reply:
1t is good, isn't it? Mother made it. :"
In these few words was embodied an
unconscious exhibition of character.
Here was a spontaneous outburst of flial
affection.
Now this incident in itself, was tliaing
but the spirit Of the language carried my
miad back through life moro than thirty
years, and at irregular intervals babe NE
pause and apply the sentiment to some
item connected with my own history.
Before making the application, how
ever | wish to disabuse myself of the
charge which such application may incur
Of appropriating myself the nobility Of
chaI acter which | have above attributed
to the candy boy. Holding myself OK
empt from this arrogance, | would sim
ply say, l am not ashamed of the profess
sion Of affection for my parents, and l
hope I may not outliyc that profession.
When was little boy, at school,
and carried my dinner in satchel made
Of calico, some Of my schoolmates car
ried theirs in fashionable willow baskets,
and sometimes leased me because car
ried mine in a poke" l felt vexed,
but reconcilcd myself with the rccolec-
ton that, if did carry acalico poke,
mother made it. In less than twenty
FIVE years after that time, one Of these
same schoolmates was glad to avail him
self Of the privilege ofscnding lis chill
dron to my school to receive gratuitous
instruction, preferred in view Of his ex-
tremc power y. His children came to
school without any dinner. They had no
nice willow basket they needed no cali
co poke"
William Foster ruled his copy book
with pencil set in fine silver case.
He said he would not carry such a great
ugly club Of a pencil as mine. / com
pared the pencils. His was the hand
soonest, but no better than mine. ! had
good lead pencil, hammered out Of a
piece Of lead. Mother made it" and
| was satisfied with it. After VIC grew
up to be men, William Foster came to
inc TO calculate interest on a small note
at six per cent. per annum he carried a
pencil worth four cents. had no gum
elastic ball but bad one made of WOOL
len rayellings and covered with leather
"MoLher made it,"
When in my twenty-second year. ]
left home to attend school in l.. There
were in school some fast young men, the
sons OF wealthy parents There were
others whose good sense was not annbi-
lated hy pcruniHry advantsccF OF tho