Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1859-08-17
Gb0ftf 4iterature
[From Moore's Rural New. Worker. |
THE TWO HOMES.
a story Tor Mothers.

Mother" said girl of ten years, Il
have done all the work you gave me-now
may Willie and go to Mr.. Gray's2"
II do wish you would keep out the way,
and stop teasing" replied the mother, as
shc gave her daughter push which sent
her reeling against chair.
"Why, mamma" said WiIlie-a bright,
sturdy little fellow of Ave years-who had
been busily engaged for the last hour, try
ing to make wooden knife for his sister
why mamma, you promised we might
go to-day, and if you don't let us, it will be
telling wrong story"
"Well do 90 dlon9-stay an hour, and !
hope shall have some peace while you are
gone"
"Hurrah," said Willie, jumping up
where's my capl Mamma, can't reach
it," -. ... ~.
"Pll warrant it--always something to
hinder me; here take your cap and go )"
and with the same impatient step and
frowning brow which had been seen all
that day, she passed again to her work.
But let us follow tie children as they
leave the house. Sarah walks along with |
sad and fearful face-her's is peculiarly
sensitive nature, and the harsh reproof so
often given is sure to'cast shadow on her
heart-and as Willie glances up into her
face, rebellious thoughts arise, and his eyes
flash Indignantly as he says, in comfort
ing tone, II wouldn't feel bad if mamma
docs scold. l shall be big man pretty
soon, and then I'll talk right back to her,
just as she does to us and when get rich
enough Pm going to bny q. harao and
riage, and you aud pa may ride with rue,
but mamma shan't, cause she aint good
Maybe she'll grow old sometime, and come
to live with me, Just as grandma does to
our house, and then if she talks so to us,
I'll just shut her up in the dark, wouldn't
you 7"
Little does that mother think she is SOW
ing seed in the young hearts which shall
spring up and yield "hundred fold" OF
Jin rneSS and Sorrolc.
Ten years have fed-let us again visit
that dwelling. Where is now the gentle
Sarah, whom every one thought SO sweet
tempered She is there, but how changed
In former years the angry reproof woult
only cause food of tears, but as day afte
day, year after year, the harsh words fel
upon her car, angry feelings began to surge
up, until her very nature became changed
and she had learned at last to throw bacl
the bitter retort. Sadly darkened must b
the soul Of that mother who thus wound
and crushes the heart Of the sensitive, M
til hatred takes the place of love, and tn
Evil Genius presides where once heavenl
angels loved to linger.
But we miss the brave little Willie
Where can our pet have flown! "ln day
Of yore" his laughing eyes and sunny smil
were always the first to greet us; now W
list in vain for his coming footstep. He
wandercr-exied by his mothers frowr
and irritableness from an otherwise plea
ant home.
Oh, mother how great an influence th
words, thy tones Of voice possess Al
they harsh and vituperative9 Are tho
tender blossoms entrusted to your ca
made to feel they are only trouble and
burden Then murmar not, If, when Il
irosis Of age have whitened your locks
when yOur steps are slow and feeble; al
all the helplessness of second childhot
arc up0s ys.N----ysNA ~rs SrsnsSa I'm hi<e ma
ner. Observation-Disclosures it may be-
you viii go down in sorrow to your gray
But let us turn, kind reader, 10 a pie;
anter scene. Go with me TO the house
Mr. c. The mother, pleasant loo
ing lady, is busily engaged with her mo-
ing duties. Hardly have we entered {
the sound Of little feet is heard, and Oh
lie rushes in Mamma" said he, "Geol
Lane has just the prettiest new sled Il
ever saUvit is painted al over, and
name is in large letters on the side, and
wants should 90 home with him and r
on it-may ! gop
"Yes, my son. is the pleasant reply,
you will be back in half an hour-I 81
want ycu then to do an errand for me
Here, let me tie your scarf around y
neck-be good boy and play pleasar
with George" and imprinting kiss VI
his rosy lips, she turns again to her W.
But where is little Allie-the pet OF
householdl ! The mother remembers I
she has not seen her for some time. ~
little rogue IS in some mischief presu
else she would not be so quiet !; | must
her." After looking in various places
softly opens the parlor door, and there
her " little one" with pussy by her
and in her hand beautiful steel enrra,
which she had torn from one of the b,
which adorned the centre table.
watch with interest to note the effect
on the mother. Shall We see her