The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1867-05-23
A LESSON F0R MOTHERS.


''me and Will Brown were playing tag
and t fell down and tore this. y zs-5z=-
'Why n'tyou run home and get your
mother to mend it, johnny" she said
as she did her best to bring together the
several parts.
ooh, cause mother amt to home.
She has gone to the Society for Clothing
Destitute Children.
Destitute children!" said Mrs Lane,
as she surveyed her nephew from head to
''If you don't come under that class
then never child did. Why, my dear,
you are ali rags and tatters.
II know it, aunt, responded the boy,
moodily, ''but it ain t my fault. Mother
says she has no time 70 mend my clothes,
and if she did, t..ey would be just as bad
the next day: SO what's the use? Faith
er said last night that | looked like a
little heather, and he almost wished was,
for mother would think was worth look
ing after, little. y .
Have you had any supper, Johnny? ?
You look hungry.
No." said the boy, casting longing
look at generous piece of pumpkin pie
his aunt was cutting: mother left some
cold victuals On the table for father and
me, but"
''Well," interrupted the good woman,
placing the pie upon plate, and adding
to tia couple of doughnuts she was frying,
and slice of cheese, you just take this,
and mind you don leave bit of it.
= John lost no time in obeylng his aunt S
peremptory, but by no means unpleasant
injunction, and the contents Of the plate
4,
assault. -
II wish mother would stay at home,
just as you do, aunt, he said as he open
ed the door, casting longing look upon
the cheerful, cozy looking kitchen.
II declare, exclaimed Mrs. Lane, as
taking up the rolling pin, she resumed
her labors, lift isn't shame for Nancy
to neglect him, and [ IN actually ashamed
of him, and his mother an active member
of half a dozen societies. As for brother
John, he's clean discouraged, and | don t
wonder at it. [ don't believe he comes
to warm supper once week. It's my
belief that it woman's business first t }
look after the comforts Of her family
then, if she has time to do for others, well
and good. Charity ought to begin at
home if she don stay there! -
''There's Aunt Nancy, now, just COM
ing into the gate, - said her daughter
Betsy as looking up from the apples she
was pairing, she CHANGED to glance out of
the window
Indignant as she was.it was not in good
natured Mrs. Lanes heart to refuse
kindly greeting to her sister-in-law, who
was evidently too full of her concerns to
have noticed any lack Of cordiaIity had
there been any.
''How do you do sister Lane? how do
you do, Betsey?" she said, seating her
self in the first chair she came to. as if
quite exhausted, though her keeh bright
eyes looked as bright as ever
Always cooking, [ do declare! All,
how it makes r,v heart ache to see you
spending so much precious time in caring
for the poor perishing body %
Folks can't live without eating re-
sponded Mrs Lane, little tartly, as this
remark called to mind what she consider
ed her s1ster's remissness in the care of
her family. ''Leastways, havenot found
out the other way of living"
''You always did make nice doughnuts
Malinda,' said Mrs. Shaw, very compos-
edly helping herself to one
''These are light as honey comb, she
added, as she proceeded to dispose of it
with evident satisfaction. II don't know
when have made any kind of pastry.
Prof. Spare, who lectured here last win
ter said that they We're very unhealthy,
entirely destroying what he called the di-
gestive apparatus.
Eyes [ know" returned Mrs. Lane
dryly, Husband invited him home to
tea one day, and [ could perceive that he
had no particular objection to my pies
and cakes. Indeed, remember thinking
that if that was his ordinary way of eat
ing [ should not like to cook for him.
And folks may say what they may, |
never will think that plain light pastry,
eaten moderately, ever hurt anybody. l
always let my children have(t, and they
are as hearty and robust set of boys and
girls, as you can find anywhere; as | ana
sure they wouldn' be if they we're fed on
cold, half cooked victuals given to them
anyway, and just when it happened. +"
ut isn't always the rosiest and fresh
est children that are the healthiest," said
Mrs. Shaw, helping herself to another
doughnut. NOW | think of it, | am
certain l can see pimple on Betsy S nose
"a sure proof Of over-eating and John
is not nigh so strong as my Johnny, who
is not more than a year or so the oldest.
But [ guess I'll do my errand and be
going. [ called to tell you that we are
going to have a Fair for the benefit Of
oppressed Poles I'm on the Committee
OF Arrangements, and | really hope sister
Lane, that you will take right hold and
do everything in your power to fsrward
this noble and praiseworthy object
''No, thank you," returned her sister
in-law, II think | can find objects of
charity nearer than Poland y
But there is a society of which you
are member, that think / should like
to join" she resumed, after moment s
thought ''the one for clothing and pro-
viding for destitute and neglected chill
dren.''
Mrs. Shaw countenance frightened.
''We shall be delighted!' she exclaim
''The initiation fee is only two dollars.
together with the weekly payment of
eight cents. )"
II believe [ paid the initiation fee
about year ago, when it was first organ
lied. | did it cheerfully, though what |
then considered to be duties nearer home
prevented my doing more | will pay it
over again, however, only | must have
the privilege of bringing destitute child
with me. | often see little boy roaming
about the streets, whose forlorn and neg
lected appearance fills my heart with
pity"
Certainly that is what we expect and
desire every member to do as she has an
opportunity. We have number of lit
tie jackets and pants on hand, and there
will be some among them that will fit
him. Our next meeting is just week
from to-day, now remember at Square
Nayo's."
There was a merry twinkle in Mrs.
Lanes eyes that night, as she superin-
tended preparations for supper, which
ever and anon deepened into SMILE