Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1860-07-26
The Mothers Lesson.
BY EMILY C. HUNTINGTON.

] What do you want now, Mary II.
nothing but mother ! nlOtheTl from morning
till night. declare am tired ofthe name 7
And the mother tossed her sewing into hel
work-basket impatiently, and turned with nC
amiable face to her child.
40, mother" said Mary, in a pleadi ne
tone, won't you please to let me take YOU
little scissors to cut some dresses for my
/ dolly2 III bring them back again.
+" No, l shall do no such thing; you are al.
ways bOthering me for Something when gel
q moment to sew; you'll want something
else before can take a stitch. Run right
away now and don't tease me-
The child turned away with disappointed
face, and the mother bent over her needle.
Presently shrill cry from an adjoining
room announced that the baby had finished
his nap, and was by no means pleased with
his quarters Down went the sewing again,
with the exclamation, Now that baby must
needs wake up with only half nap, and
there'l be no peace with him all the alter
nOonn
The hasty manner in which Master Charley
was snatehed up from his cradle, and the i'm
patient hush, will you" that greeted him,
was in no way calculated to quiet his nerves,
and called forth still louder screams. After a
wearisOme hour of alternate scolding and
soothing, the young gentleman concluded to
sit upon the floor and amuse himself with his
playthings while his mother made prepara-
tons for supper.
When the work was about half completed
the door was thrown open, and two red-cheek-
ed children rushed noisily into the room.
20, motheTp shouted the eldest, awe are
going to have pic-nic-all the scholars
down by the grove, and take our dinners, and
have some big swings, and-and. -
The boy stopped, fairly out of breath, and
his younger brother chimed in:
And the teacher is going to take me and
Willie with him in the market wagon, and
he says you must bake US cake, wont t You,
mother, and put raisins init, and sugar on
the top 2"
Dear mel" exclaimed Mrs Hall; H do
believe there never was such a noisy set of
children You are enough to drive any one
distracted with your mOther mother Do
sit down and be quiet while get superb
Won't supper be ready pretty sOon2"
asked Willie, following his mother into the
kitchen. Gam 50 hungry"
II risk your starving Go away and
don't bother me-go and play marbles with
Fred in the other room"
Fora few moments there was comparative
quiet as the two boys rolled their marbles
and discussed their merits; but their voices
grew louder and louder and finally Willie
made quick step backward, and brought
his foot down upon the baby's fingers. Then
there was music in earnest, and asthe mother
caught up Charley and tried to still his
screams, scolded poor Willie for his careless
ness, pushed both the boys into chairs and
took her WOrk-basket away from Mary, Civ
ing her a hasty blow that added her voice to
the chorus, there came a quick step in the
hall, and the husband and father came in.
He was one Of those genial, happily con-
sltuted men who always see the sunny side of
everything, and upon whom life and its
cares press lightly As he entered the room
the loud, angry screams of the children sunk
almost instantly to halesubdued sobs, and
their faces frightened in sympathy with his.
Catching the baby from his mother arms,
he commenced a merry play with him that
soon brought smiles instead of tears to the
little fellows face, and Mary dried her eyes
to join his shouts of delight at being tossed
to the ceiling by the strong arms that he
trusted so perfectly. In a few moments Mr..
Hall was seated with Charley in his lap, and
the other children about him, eaah one eager
to relate something of the days occurrence
sure Of finding ready sympathy from their
father. The picnic was discussed with all
its anticipated delights and even Mary's new
doll came in for share Of the attention, as
her story Of "the dreadful headache dolly |
had got, " was gravely listened to.
When all were in good humor again, Mr.. |
Han quietly asked them what they were all
crying about when he came in. All looked |
sober for a moment, aRd then Willie hesita- |
tingly answered:
81 stepped on Charley's fingers and that
made him cry, and rhen mother shook me
and cried too"
"Did you mean TO hurt your little broth
erP7
'.No, father, but Fred and l were rolling |
our marbles, and wanted to get good aim,
and forgot all about baby and went back
ward right on to him."
'You must remember another time to be /
more careful when Charley is near you. l |
knew boy once who put his little brothers |
eye out BY hitting him accidentally with a
plaything. You would feel very badly if
you should spoil one of these bright eyes,
would you not?"
"Yes, indeed, father, said Willie, throw
ing his arms about Charley, "Willie wouldn't
hurt you for all the world, little brother"
swell, Nary did you cry because the rest
did2o
1-I-got my mammals little scissors"
81 am sorry if my little Mary has been
naughty and disobeyed her mother.p
''She didn't say Mary mustn't touch"
sobbed the child, ''she say, not trouble NAM
.D
The tears were not easily checked this
time and with all the htheTs ingenuity, they
burst forth atevery slight provocation during
the evening. When the last little head was
ieit dreaming upon its pillow, Mrs. Hall drew
her seWing-chair to the light with a sigh of
relief, saying;
"ihank fortune for the prospect Of few
hours OF peace and quiet.'.<
"You look very tired tonight; have you
had hard day 2" inquired her husband
"Hard should think SO. Charley has
not slept fifteen minutes to-day, and never
saw Mary sOfretful and peeyish.n5
81 do not think Mary is well. she seemed
very feyerish this evening. Mr.. Marsh has