The New era. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1865-1871, 1865-11-02
AN INPATIENT MOTHER.
~ T. s. ARTHUR.

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over an hour. The pleasure of one
seemed to be the pleasure of the other.
If Amy suggested some new amusement,
John agreed in cheerful good humor
and it was the same with Amy, if her
brother proposed any change in their
sports or employments.
Let us play with paper dolls" said
Amy, at last, growing weary over the
toy houses which they had been build
ing.
John was ready for paper dolls or any
thing else his little companion might
propose. So Amy brought from the
closet her box of painted dresses, and
the two children sat down upon the floor
to arrange and fit them to the figures
of men and women that were also con-
tanned in the box.
ooh, dear!" said Amy, affecting
tone of annoyance. ssAll my Flora's
dresses are out of fashion. She must
have one of the new talmas before she
can go walking again. Won't you paint
a new dress and cloak for her, if / cut
them out 20
Nothing could have pleased John, at
the time, better than t,.is proposal. He
went off singing up stairs for the paint
box, while Amy tripped away in the
happiest mood possible, to her mothers
room, and commenced turning over the
things in her work basket.
What do you want Thereof the
mother spoke, in quick, angry tones.
Amy started, and drew back step or
two from the basket, her face flushing,
and cloud darllening the pure brow on
which the Sunshine rested onlyamomcnt
before.
81 want the SCISSORS answered the
child.
:. Well, you can't have them. So go
away with you.o
q want to cut some new dresses for
my Flora," urged the child, again APP
preaching the basket, and diving her
hand i'll among the labyrinth OF spools,
tape, muslin and cord which it contain
ed. 4 sudden change had come over
her feelings; and in her childish persis-
tence, she meant to obtain the article de-
sired
Didn't tell you that you couldn't
have them - still further 10 3sing her
temper, and at the same time catching
Amy by the arm, and jerking her with
considerable force from the basket.
The child did not complain. She was
not one of that kind that made loud out
cries every time their wishes are tlwart-
ed. Yet, she did not fell this unllind-
ness OF her mother amy less. 1t fell like
q shadow upon her young spirit, and
dimmed, for the time, all its brightness.
When Amy returned to the room in
Which only a few moments before, she
had parted With her brother, her mood
of mind was entirely changed. He was
already there with the box Of paints,
and a sheet of white paper. from which
to cut the new dresses for Flora.
8. Did Won oct the scissors ~ hpaSkod
No." answered Amy, pouting her
lips, and looking very unamiable.
"Why?"
Mother wouldn't give them to me-"
John looked disappointed. He stood
for q little While, looking now at the
paint box and sheet of white paper in
his hands, and now at the altered face of
his sister. The sister with wham he had
been playing SO sweetly for an hour.
"Never mind," he said, at length, in
a comforting voice. Flora will have
to wait for her new cloak. She must
wear one of her old dresses to-day Here
is a handsome one"
And STOPPING to the box on the floor,
he lifted therefrom Il green plaid walk
ing dress. "Flora will look handsome
enough in this,' said he, in a cheerful
voice.
q don't want to play at paper dolls"
Amy looked still more unlovely. The
frown on her brow was heavier, and her
lips pouted to degree that sadly married
her childish features.
Johns face now became troubled.
The current Of his feelings, which had
been gliding along so smoothly, with the
sunshine on its breast, commenced rip
ping over stony distractions. He sat
down upon the floor, beside the box of
paper dolls, and in a listless kind of way
commenced turning over the figures Of
dresses. Presently he took upa bonnet,
and began bending the front of it back
wards, though not in a manner to injure
or disfgure it.
Don't do that !" said Amy, curtly.
You'll spoil the bonnet. And she came
quickly forward, and reached out her
hand to take the small piece of printed
cardboard from her brother John,
instead of giving it up in kind way,
was offended at his sisters manner, and
thrust the bonnet behind him out of her
reach.
"Give it to me, John" The child's
reddening face marked herquicklyr rising
anger.