Holmes County farmer. [volume] (Millersburg, Ohio) 1857-1926, 1861-04-25
The Contrast.

tus ANtby ANON, NNh ~ S''N''
low"
$50 my mother says; anyhow, don't
you think do credit to her training?'
"No, my boy" said silver-haired old
man; "I remember your mother when she
was bonnie lassie.' Her checks were
like two ripe apples, on which the crimson
was daintily spread SO as not to shame
the white. Her eye was full and bright,
not dim with sorrow as it is now. Some
great grief must have changed her so sad
ly. Her rounded limbs and dainty foot,
her beautiful throat and white, dimpled
arms, | well remember. And she has
been a kind mother; her counsels, like
morning dews and evening showers,
have fallen upon your way and yet,
Ned. You call her the 'ola woman All,
boy, it never was so in my time"
"Oh, WE'LL" said Ned, tossing his
handsome head and hastily thrustng back
the brown and glossy curls; 81 am going
to get married, and be dutilul son. No
one can say that / neglect my mother, at
any rate; though perhaps l am little
rude"
"Did you send that sugar, to-day, and
the other little articles that | ordered for
mother?" asked Ned Ellis of his pretty
young bride, as they sat together in their
neat cottage home.
al declare, Ned, | forgot it," his wife
replied, blushing; 81 was so busy finish,
iug my dress for the ball, that it quite
slipped my memory"
"Mother wanted them last weel-sugar
and salt, tea and coffee, and about every
thing else she was ont Of; what u stupil
dog | am to forget SO; here, Sam--Ned
Jack, where are you? what, not one o.
them at home?"
"They have gone to the husking frolic
believe" said Mrs. Ellis; 81 intended
to send those articles before they went
but | have such short memory"
"Ditto to that" chimed in Ned, "bu
! must go round and sec the old LADY,
| haven't even called to know whethc
she is sick or we'll"
The widow sat over the scanty fire
watching the Kissing water, as it spoute,
and fell from the little tin tea kettle.
loaf of bread stood on the small table a
her side. Her creamer was empty, tn
bowl minus sugar, no butter, no littl
luxury, nothing but the crust, the we
white loaf and the scrap Of tea that dust
ed the bottom of the ancient silver tea
pot.
The widow bent closer over the fire
and there were tears in her aged eyes.
'lIe should have thought of his ole
mother" she murmured, fidgeting will
nervous hands about her cap ribbon; "bu
then, being Just married SO. suppose
ought to consider; he always was littl,
vida little wild; but he has got a gooc
heart, l know he has; still, he shouldn'
have forgotten his poor old mother"
The good old lady leaned back AM
crossed her hands upon her bosom. Ho
thoughts went back to earlier days. How
often had that golden head nestled agains
her heart How had those ever laugh
ing eyes drawn smiles from her own
even in lonely widowhood. How ha
she watched him as he, prattling, toddle
about her knee, the treasure of her life
the blood of her very heart, the apple o
her eye. And after years had passed
she remembered tho often self-dcnials-
the scauty meal-the patched garment
the old shawl, colored and re-col ored; tn
faded bonnet; all beautiful as Jewels t
her, because they bought the great gift q
education to her boy. And after all this
he had neglected his old mother. oh
shame ungrateful manhood, that can 6
repay love tender as the love of an ange
Look upon another scene.
A bright, noble face was that of youn
Arthur McLane. His eyes were vividl,
dark; his hair rolled back in glossy curl
from manly brow. The seal of earnes
life enstamped that fresh young counte