Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1861-05-24
OUR MOTHERS.

1t was pleasant morning in May. The
usual exercises of the school were about
being entered on, when our teacher was
called from the room. After an absence
of few minutes, she returned, bringing
with her little girl, whom she introduced
to us as Emma Lee.
The child quietly took the place assigned
her, and the duties of the day proceeded
as usual.
Some weeks after this, before school
time one morning, we were assembled on
the green enjoying ourselves in our various
games for exercise. Helen Gray cameup
in great haste, saying, "She had some
thing to tell u.s." With one accord our
sports were abandoned, and we crowded
around her to listen.
She said that on the coming Thursday
she would be eight years old, and her
mother had told her that she might in
vite all her schoolmates to take tea with
her on that day. "Now," said she, "be
sure to ask your mothers, when you 60
home, if you may come and we'll have a
nice time p
Just then the school-bell rang, and it
prevented any further remarks. Whilst
studying my first lesson l happened to
look over towards Emma Lees desk, which
was directly opposite mine, and | saw a
tear drop on the book over which she was
bending her head. Another, and then
another, fell. She quietly wiped them
away and continued looking over her les
. son. Her class was soon called so recite.
Every question that was put to her was
answered with her usual correctness.
When the play hour came, of course the
birthday party was the general subject of
conversation.
After a few moments I happened to
think Of Emma, and ON looking around, l
noticed her at some distance from the rest
of us alone.
l went to her and asked her what the
reason was she wept that morning in
school
"Why," she replied, "when Helen Gray
was speaking of next Thursday she told
us to ask our mothers if we could come )"
and then her dark eye seemed to grow
still darker, as she said, l have no mother
to ask"
put my arm around her neck, and
kissed her. Child as I was, felt that
there was something sacred in her sorrow.
In few minutes she looked up and
said: My aunt is very kind to me but
when hear other little girls speak Of
their mothers, l do so wish that l had a
mother, too, to love me! Think never
would grive her."
My heart smote me; for knew I had
grieved my kind mother that morning by
my disobedience.
She told me that she did not remember
her mother, as she had died when she was
but two years old.
The summons to resume our studies was
given, and we were soon busy with our
books again /; and yet l could not forget
little Emma's sad story. 9A
Thursday, so much looked for, came at
last, and we all enjoyed ourselves very
much at Helen's home.
Sometimes / thought ] saw shadow
on Emma's face, though she seemed to en-,
ter into the pleasures Of the hour. But
she was never a merry child. l thought
since, that it was the loss of mothers
love and care that made her quiet, even
in her sports. sate HaT
She had no mother? remember how
long ! thought of her after / laid my
head on my pillow that night; and re.
solved then and there to love ny mothe,
more than / ever had before.
Have you mother ? Thank God fol
her untiring care and precious love
Cherish her tenderly.; for next to a Saw
iour's love, here is the greatest blessing
you will ever. know on earth.
Be gentle with your companions but
oh be gerry gentle with the motherles--
for there are many, very many such,
and, when you can, throw the sunlight Of
your love and kindness over their sorrow.
ful, clouded pathway.