The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1865-01-26
LEFT TO HIMSELF.
"My darling boy "
uMv hessed mamma ~

1t was a pretty little pair of lips that
were lifted up for kiss, and the child's
arms clasped the mothers neck very
tightly, Mrs. Hall held the little on
to her bosom for a long time. Her
fingers played with the curls upon his
white forehead, but she did not seem
thinking of them. She was trying to
thread the labyrinths of her boys fu-
ture life. "What would he be to her
when the years should rest heavily up
on her shoulders2 Would he be her
strength and her pride Would he
possess wealth and fame2 Would he
be" All, it was hardly a questioning
either of these things it was a castle
building In the confidence of his success
in life. 1t was quiet, dreamy
rambling among things hoped for for
her boy. There was no quickening
sense of maternal responsibility prompt
ing to self-cxamination, to inquiries of
duty, to silent prayers. She was
young mother. Three-yoar.old Bertie
was her only child, and he had been to
her yet but toy to amuso her and q
pet to love. She did love him pas
sionately, and he returned her affec ton.
IF she entertained any particular opin-
ions with regard to the moral training
of child, if she had any plans as re-
spectcd that Of her own son, they were
! not apparent. Evidently she imagined
that he would grow up well, of course.
She saw nothing in his immediate sur
roundings to prevent it. His father
was q quiet business man, of good NOR.
ais, and occupied a respectable position
, in society. She herself was, not only
in her own opinion, but in that Of her
, neighhors, a kind hearted woman, n
good housekeepcr, an uffectionate wife,
and she meant to be a good mother
4 Why should not the babe given to her
keeping become the virtuous and noble
, man2
While Mrs. Hall sat fondling her lit
tie boy, and thinking of his future
, woven in with her own, n round bright
face looked in at the doorway, and n
pleasant voice asked, "May come in,
Lucy ?" 1t was Mary Law, her neigh.
bor across the way, bustly little wo-
man, with whom she was on quite ia
miliar terms.
"Certainly, certainly" said Mrs. Hall,
edo come in and sit with me while.
was rather tired, and have been hold
ing my. little boy and resting; you
know that is the way we mothers rest. "
II cant stay but n minute, Lucy"
said Mrs. Law, dropping upon the
lounge, as if she too we're weary enough.
"Mrs. Warren told me you had new
recipe for making currant-wine, and, as
our currants are just right now, and |
have little more leisure than usual, |
think I may as we'll make up my wine
J as at another time and, if you have
any better way than mino, 1 should
like to learn it,"
"Why, don't know that I have,
Mary; you generally have as good ways
of doing things as any one, l believe
but you are welcome to all the informa-
tion I have, am sure. Here is my
recipe" said she, taking down from u
cupboard a scrap-book, the foundation
, of which was an old ledger, and draw.
ing from it bit Of folded paper. II
, meant to have pasted it in my book be.
fore now. See here, BERTHE" she added
, "run and tell Susan to bring up that
small bottle of currant-wine from the
cellar. l want you to taste mine, Mary
0 perhaps you will prefer your old method
The wine was brought, tasted, and
approved. at is good," said Mrs. Law
emphatically.
"Mamma, mamma, me taste" said lit
tlo BERTHE. Mamma poured a teaspoon.
ful into the glass and allowed the child
to drink it,
"Me some more, mamma
30, no, BERTHE has had enough"
"More, more" be demanded impcra-
lively.
"Nr, Berie, wouldn't have any
more wine now go to the kitchen ant
ask Susan to give you piece of sugar
That's a good boy !" b, ...r.....
+ "Bertio don't want sugar BcrtiC
wants wine. BERTHE Wal haze wine :
"Do you suppose it will hurt him
Mary?" asked Mrs. Hall
"Why, no " replied her neighber
"Perhaps it will do him good he's Sc
delicate-nOt as we'll as usual this sum
mer, is he ?" sra,
= "Ilardly I'm afraid sometimes tha
| shall loso him." said she, as shr