Abbeville press. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1860-1869, 1868-07-03
A COURTEOUS MOTHER.

er ard four children, whose relations with
each other were so rarely beautiful that the .
pleasure Of watching them was quite
enough TO make one forget the discom.
forts of the journey.
1t was plain that they were poor; their
clothes were coarse and old, and had been
made by inexperienced hands. The moth.
er.s bonnet alone would have been enough
20 have condemned the whole party on any
Of the worlds thoroughtares. l remcm-
bered afterwards with shame, that L my
self had smiled at the first sight Of its an
tiquated uglness; but her lace was one
which it gave you sense Of rest to look
npon-it was SO earnest, tender, true, and
strong. 1t had little comclncss Of shape
or color in it; it was thin, and pale, and
llvid she was not young she had worked
hard; she had evidently been much i'll;
but | lave seen few faces which gave ne
such pleasure. think that she was the
wifo Of poor clergyman; and l think
that clergyman must be one Of the Lords
best wachmen of souls. The children
two boys and two girls-wcfe all under
the age of twelve, and the Youngest could
not speak plainly. They had had a rare
treat; they lad been visiting the noun
tains, and they were talking over all the
wonders they had seen, with a glow Of
enthusiastic delight which was to be en-.
siel. Only word-for word record would
do justice to their conversation 10 de-
scription could give any idea Of t-so
free, SO pleasant, so genial, 10 interrup
tions, no contradictions; aud the mothers
part borne all the while with such equal
interest and eagerness that no one not
seeing her face would dream that she WAS
any other than an elder sister. In the
course Of the day there were many occa.
sions when it was necessary for her to deny
requests, and to ask services, especially
from the eldest boy but no young girl,
anxious TO please lover, could have done
either with a more. tender courtesy She
had her reward for no lover could have
been more tender and manly than. was this
boy Of twelve. Their lunch was simple
and scan'y; but it had tko-gracc OF
royal banquet. At the last, the mother
produced with much g'ee three apples and
Nh orange, of which tue children had not
xnown. All eyes fastened on the orsnge.
1t was evidently great rarity. watch
ed 10 see If this test would bring out sell
fish ness. There was a little silence: just
ahe shade OF cloud. The mother said :
tIIow shall l divide this? There is one
for each OF you; and shall he best of
Of all: for ! expect big tastes from each Of
you"
90, give Annie the orange. Annie
loves oranges" spoke out the oldest boy,
With sudden air Of con9ucror, and at
tho same time taking the smallest and
worst apple himself.
20 yes, let Annie have the orange"
echoed the second boy, nine years old.
''Yes, Annie may have the orange, be.
cause that is nicer than the apple, and she
a lady, and her brothers are gentlemen
aaia the mother, quietly. Then there was
a merry contest as to who should feed the
mother with largest and most frequent
mouthfuls; and so the feast went on
Then Annie pretended 10 want apple, and
exchanged thin golden strips Of orange
for bites out of the cheeks Of Badwins
and, as sat watching her intentIy, slit
suddenly fanc;cd she saw longing in my
f,ce, and sprang over 10 me, holding Gu
quarter Of her orange, and saying
"Don't you want taste, too?" Th
mother smiled, uudcrstandingly, when
said, "No, l thank you, you dear, gener
Gus little girl; don't csre about oran.
Ees.''
At noon we had a tedious interval c
waiting at dreary station. We sat 70
two hours on narrow platform, whic
tn: sun had scorched till it smel!ed {
Leaf. The Oldest boy-the little lover
held the youngest child, and talked 70 he
while the tired mother closed her eyes an
rested. Now and then he looked over &
her, and then back at the baby and &
last he said confdentially to me (for "
had become fast friends. by this timc)
'Isn't it funny, to think that was ever .
so small as this baby? And papa sa,
that then mamma YVES almost little p
herself"
The two other children were toiling
pnd down the banks of the railroad trac
picking OK eye daisies, buttercups, a,
sorrel. They worked like beavers, a,
Don the lunches were almost TOO big 4
their little hands. Then they came ru
ming to give tbe~ to their mother.
DEAR" thought I, chow that poor tir
woman will hate to open her eyes; al
she never can take those great bunches
willing, worthless flowers. in addition
all her bundles and bags" I was mist