Daily Ohio statesman. [volume] (Columbus, Ohio) 1855-1870, 1861-04-05
gt)e Ohio 9tates,tra,r
T z B II 8 .
The Contrast.

"Ah! Ned, Ned, you're O sad, wild fellow"
$50 my mother says; anyhow, don't you
think do credit to her training7" 5
"No, my boy" said silver-haired old man
"I remember your mother when she was a
bonnie lassie.' Her cheeks were like two ripe
apples, on which the crimson was daintily
spread 90 as not to shame the white. Her eye
was full and bright, not dim with sorrow as 1t
Is now, Some great grief must have changed
her 80 sadly. 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 land yet, Ned, you call her the 'old wo-
man. All, boy, it never was so in my time .,
"Oh, WE'LL" said Ned, tossing his handsome
head, and hastily thrusting back the brown and
gloesy curls; ~ am going to get married, and
be @ dutiful son. No one can say that neglect
my mother, at any rate; though perhaps am q
little rude" t...t,.
"Did you send that sugar, to day, and the
other little articles that / ordered for moth.
err" asked Ned Ellis OF his pretty young
bride, as they sat together in their neat cottage
home.
II declare, Ned, forgot IT," his wife re.
piled, blushing; 81 was 80 busy finishing my
dress for the ball, thatit quite slipped my mem.
ory.n ~ .-al5s.l to.
"Motber wanted them last week-sugar and
salt, tea and coffee, and about everything else
she was out Of; what stupid dog am to for
get SOL here, Sam-Ned-1ack, where are you 7
what, not one Of them at homer"
"They have gone to the husklng frolic, be-
lieve," said Mrs. Ellis; 81 intended TO send
those articles before they went, but have such
short memory"
"Ditto to that" chimed in Ned, "but must
20 round and see the old lady. haven't even
called to know whether she is sick or wel7"
The widow sat over the scsnty FIRE, watching
the Kissing water, as 1t spouted and fell from
the little tin tea kettle. A loaf of bread stood
on the small table at her side. Her creamer
was empty; the bowl minus sugar, no butter,
no little luxury, nothing but the crust, the wee
white Loaf, and the scrap of tea that busted the
bottom Of the ancient silver teapot.
The widow bent closer over the fire, and there
we're tears in her aged eyes. s-tI
"He should have thought Of his old MOTHER
she murmured, fdgeting with nervous hands
about her cap ribbon; "but then, being just mar
ried so, I suppose ought to consider; he all
ways was little wild-a little wild; but he
has got o good heart, know be has; still, he
shouldn't have forgotten his poor old mother !"
The good old lady leaned back and crossed
her hands upon her bosom. Her thoughts went
back to earlier days. How often hsdlthat gold.
en- head nestled against her heart! How had
those ever laughing eyes drawn smiles from her
own, even in lonely widowhood. How had she
watched him as he, prattling, toddled about her
knee the treasure of her life the blood Of her very
heart, the apple of her eye. And after years
IL al arnharaA ha nfkat, aof a.
nials-the scanty meal-the patched garment
the old shawl, colored and re .colored; the faded
bonnet; all beautiful as jewels to her, becaus,
they bought the great gilt of education to her
boy. And after all this, he had neglected hil
old mother. Oh, shame! ungrateful manhood,
that can 80 repay love tender as the love Of al
angel.
Look upon another scene.
A bright, noble face was that Of young Arthur
McLane. His eyes wero vividly dark; his hair
rolled back In glossy curls from a manly brow.
The seal of earnest life enstamped that fresh
Young countenance; the soft light Of love en-
kindied 1t as he spoke, In soft, low tones, to the
gentle being by his side.
smother will not live with u.s." he said; "she
has too long reigned over her own household to
sit quietly BY the fireside Of another"
"i am sorry, Arthur" replied a sweet voice;
"the picture lave framed in my heart will be
incomplete without mother. Her meek face,
her snowy cap, her busy fingers, her low voice
and quiet influence would make our little home q
paradise. viii she not be very lonely"
81 have taken care to engage cottage close
to hers" answered Arthur, "within a stone
throw. And you know you can never get along
without showing her your bright eyes at least Q
Sa.or ,irn a. a dav tn cnnaut nm littla hnnapholf