North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1866-05-23
HOW TO HONOR A MOTHER. .

In the north of Europe is mountainous
country callen Sweden. Its winters are
long, snowy and cold. Its Summers are
short, but very lovely and sweet-aired, es-
pecially' in the valleys between the high
mountains.
The inhabitants of that country are no
ted for their industry, virtue and content
ment. One morning long time ago,
certain king of Sweden, called Gustavus
the Third, was riding through village in
one of the beautiful valleys, not far from
Stockholm, the capital city. As he pass
ed along he saw young girl fillInga
pitcher with wat er that gushed from the
cool rocks which overshadowed the road
side. He stopped at the fountain and
asked The girl for drink. She knew not
the stranger, but gracefully stepped for
ward and lifted the pitcher to his lips as
he sat upon his horse. She was evidently
very poor, bnt her kindness, so tepderly
expressed upon her countenance, together
with. her artless, unembarrassed politeness,
at once attracted the kings attention, and
touched his heart. Judging by her aP-
pearance that she was child ofpoverty,
he told her, that if she would 60 to the
city, he would find her pleasant home.
''Ah good sir" answered the girl,
"Providence placed me here, and | am
not anxious to change my position in life.
am content, and if / were not content, it
would be impossible for me to accept your
kind Offer"
"Indeed Why not? said the king in
some surprise.
Because my mother is poor and sick
ly," she replied.
"And you remain at home to take care
of her."
81 am her only help and companion
said the girl, looking upon the ground
with genuine modesty that won the
sympathies of her royal auditor. 81 am
happy in my lot, and am thankful that /
can take care of and comfort the one so
dear to me. No offer however tempting,
could induce me to leave my mother"
''Where is your motherf' inquired the
king. becoming more and more interested
in the noble girl. --aoel"-..s.
''Tn yon little hut, by the side of the
road" said she, pointing toward the hum
bic dwelling. 1t was low, thatched
building, covered with moss and vines,
verv neat and clean, but so old and wealth
erworn that it offered but a poor shelter
in time of cold and storms.
Gustavus alighted from his horse, and
followed the girl into the hut, to see her
mother. He found her sick and suffering,
LAYING upon bed Of straw-a pale, thin
woman-sinking under her infrmities, and
looking forward to the grave only as bed
of rest The king was almost overcome
at the pitible sight, and said, while tears
came into his eyes-ah, yes, and those
tears were more beautifully radiant
and glorious than the brightest dazzlcs
that ever glanced from his crown Of dia-
monds- ..--,.. .....-...-., ..= ...r-....t
Il feel sorry. mother, to find you. so
destitute and afflicted"
eyes, yes. my dear sr," said the lady,
in feeble voice "but | am so glad that
God has given me an atfectionate daugh-
ter She is always trying to relieve me,
and is my constant comforter. May God
in His love remember and bless her-my
dear child and her voice was choked
back by sobs, and her face was covered
with tears. ..... ...| |... .....-.,a
The good king wept with the poor wild
ow.
What sight! How. the angels of
heaven lowered over that lonely hut,
breathing joy unspeakabIe into three
hearts-the suffering woman's the sympa-
thizing kings, and tie filial daughters
The monarch never received such a bless
ing on his throne in the palace, as there In
the lone hut by the wayside !! He handed
the daughter purse Of gold, and directed
her to a better house, where she and her
mother might be comfortable, saying as he
departed: ......,
"Go on, my young friend, in your way
of dutiful love and care, and you shall lack
for nothing while I have means to help
you / am your king. Farewell!'
: Gustavus ever remembered the poor
family, and made provisions to have a sum
of money regularly sent to the woman for
her support and at the mothers death,
he presented the daughter with hand
some fortune. f'".-- .""" ...
Young readers, for your parents sake,
ard Christ's sake, but also for your own
sake, remember the. command, "Honor
thy father and thy mother" fl ef4y
-s; e.. sh------4..------ -ti.E
DEFINITIONS Nor IN WEBsTER.--Q.
What is waterfall PA. A lot curls made