Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1860-05-03
& Yfautiful gtory.
MY MOTHER.
T IConeludcd.1

In two weeks Clifton went ava
: to school, but not until he had b
j come perfectly subdued. My steI
it mother treated him with a defer
: ence that aattered bis boyish vanity
and, completely forgetting his vo
: of a week before, he was as respectfl
' and obedient as possible; and whel
he was going, he had to whistl
harder 10 keep back the tears, tba
/, when be parted from Granny.
was of much more obstinate ant
! proud disposition. Thoroughly i'm
bued with Granny's prejudices..
tried. my best to find everything
wrong in her. She tried every lit
tie tender act 10 win my affections;
the gentle nursing when ] was sick,
the kind interes. in my plays and
occupations, the affectionate caress;
and when the terrible truth dawEed
upon her that | would not love her,
these we're not withdrawn, but con.
tinued with a mournful tenderness
hat almost conquered me.
Often ! longed to lay nv head on
her lap, and tell her that | did love
her, but pride came to my aid
Had not she taken my mothers S
place. Had not said that would
not love her, and would never call
her mother? And would not, and
| tried to scorn Clifton for being so
easily conquered.
1t WAS cold, wet day in January.
! bad not been well, and as my
father went on. of the door, my
step mother said pleasantly.
We must find amusement iu-
doors, Harold, for | cannot let you
go out to-day
On the day before the boys had
taunted me with being ruled BY her,
because / had quoted her about
some tri1ing matter; now was
good time to show my independence;
SO / replied, without looking up |
that must 90 ont, for had some
tIiugto do in the barn. / was going,
when she called me back.
Harold! listen to me-
! turned and looked at her. Her
eyes were full of tears, but the
ines about her mouth were fixed. !
Now, Harold, you must not go
out this morning; / have forbidden it,
My spirit was reused in mo- !
ment; it was the first time she
,ad spoken SO decidedly: now vas
be time 10 show that she was moth
pg to me. whistled tune, and
walked quietly cut Of the house as |
ar as the barn; then, as there was [
,othiDg to interest me there, anG |
ny purpose was accomplished, Ii
.eturned slowly to the house.
My step.mother was sewing when
entered. Her face was very pale. ,
md il grew paler as ! came in. She .
ose Immediately and took my hand
u hers. The grasp of that little
,and was firm, there was a resolu-
ion 10 every movement that | did &
,ot dream of resisting.
You will come with me, Harold,'
he said, and / followed mechani. I
ally.
She took me to my room, placed ,
ne in CHAIR, and then with the !
anne calm, 6ignified step, she went J
,ut, and locked the door,. Il
] was so, overcome with ascnish- {
nent, that / made no resistance
That she. so young and beautiful, I
.lmost timid in her gentleness, should !
AYE taken such decisive measures, .
vas to me perfectly unaccooDtable,
She had never before directly COM
handed or forbidden me to co any
hing. She had seemed to try to /;
siu my love, not my obedience;
,ut now she bad taken an entirely
lifferent course; she had exerted an
uthority over me which had for !
rotten she could claim, and shown !
spirit for which ! was totally M j
yss,a.aa fa14i
at Grst, / was very angry. Wis
ons of the cruel step.mo;her came
loatipg back again oyer mind, but !
ainter than at first. | would brave {
,er. / said TO myself. I would nev.
= have It said that / vas conquered !
" q gill Of eighteen; because sbo 4
ame inic ny fathers house, beeauss