Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-03-09
From the Waterman and Reflector.
THE STEP-MOTHER.

only dependence, and bis death seems 4
leave no prop for her to lean on. Hai
che any relative 10 give her homer
If she had done as she ought to, sb,
would have friends enough, said Stepher
Burnham, rather bitterly; as mar
sows so must be also reap. II she hac
been a mother to US children, or treated
US decently, we should have loved her
and been glad TO give her home in her
old age as it is, she has nothing to hope
from us. John was her idol, she wrong
ed US in every way to benefit him (; little
thanks she got for it too, for ] have been
told he was very unkind to her, besides
being shockingly dissipa;ed Yes, she
sowed selfshness, bitterness, injustice,
and she must reap the crop
Stephen Burnham lost lis mother in
early youth, and with two sisters soon
after fell into the hands Of a step-molher
the person now under consideration.
There are many excellent step-mothers,
who, amid manifold trials and difficulties,
possess their souls in patience, meekly
and coursseously discharging the ardu-
Gus duties Of their position. We have
known more than one such--noble, Cod
fearing woman, silently doing a martyrs
work with a martyrs spirit-but old
Mrs. Burnhsm was not one Of these
She was Of fredul, uncomfortable dis
position, a n d worse yet, u scheming,
selfish woman. Bringing into her Sec
ond husbands family an only son by
former marriage, she had succeeded by
her unprincipled management in secur-
ing to him all the property Of her hus-
band, while bis own children were sent
into the world penniless. It was not
strange Stephen Burnham's tone took
linge Of bitterness, for though a profess
sor Of religion, and true Christian at
heart, he was far from perfect. His
meek, retiring wife had made much great
tr progress heavenward than he, and her
ideas Of duty were far more clear and
controlling.
They were sitting around the parlor
fire, the children had all retired for the
night, and, after the above remarks.
Stephen 10 his newspaper, and read,
while Mary sat sewing and thinking.
What is TO become Of this poor old
lady, now quite helpless, with no proper
~, no relative to care for her, no heart 10
love herr it may be her own fault, but
who of us would have many enioympnts
If we but received our just deserts p
What Is 10 become of unamiable, dis.
agreeable old people !? Somebody mus,
provide for them, and not leave them 10
suffer. And Mary Durham thought
Of Chris!s infinite compassion and for
bearanee to those who were totally re-
pellant TO His pure and holy nature. hll
her own heart became warm with love 10
~rong-doers. She had long felt desire
90 be more useful, and when she looked
round on her pleasant home. her bloom
ing children, her prosperous husband.
and saw how her cup was overAowino
with blessings, she longed to show her
gratitude to God. The command. Do
good unto all men as ye have opportuni-
ty,' had Of late been much upon her
mind, and she had tried TO find how and
where there were opportunities for ber
As she sat thinking, a voice seemed
10 ask, Is there not way opened now
Ought We not to take this desolate re-
laiive into our home, and minister 70 her
declining years :?
Her whole soul revolted at the sur-
gestion. If there was in the wide world
person whom it would be uncomforta-
bic to have under her roof il was This /
very one--.hey had SO few points off
50 very many Of repulsion.
1t seemed almost like introducing 4 SER
pent into the garden Of Eden. to brine
such fretful, exacting. bad-hearted wo-
nan into her lovely home-no, she could
rot think of 1t anything else but that /
And soothing voice whispered, /. You /,
ave no right to make home uncomfort-
IDLE TO your husband and children; # !.
duty to keep il free from all discordant
dement's; TO surround the children with
favorable influence
But Mary Burnham's inward vision
lad been purified by much self-exami1a-
ion and prayer, and there was no cloud-
ng It by the mists Of self-iudulgence-
II ye do good to them which do good to
'ou, what thank have We; for sinners do h
ven the same And host Of texts e. h
ching self-denial, taking up the cross.
.oing good TO the sinful. rushed into her
mind, and they produced a conflict in her