The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1868-05-15
Look Sharp Through Your Eyeglasses,
MadaB!


Look sharp through your Eyeglasses,
madam! The lady walking in front OF you.
wears dress which has been altered anu
pieced, time after time, with feminine inge
nuiiy so as to bring II, rs near as possible,
to The present style. The bonnet which
she wears, was made by her own hand. II
Is true, there is place in the velvet which
shows great deal Of wcar, hut she wns
unable to turn that under, SO that our eyes
could not sec Il. The hat is not trimmed
with expensive Partisan flowers; you have
already remarked that, OF course but she
was unapprised that You were going to
turn up your precious nose at 1t. And.
moreover, she may have been unable to
afford hctter one.
Survey her from head 10 foot Your
stare will make her uncomfortable but
never mind tlnt She thought that che
looked nicely when she left home. she tried
to make herself believe that her toilet was
elaborate. aud she attempted to imagine
that no ono would noticG the extra seam IN
her sacque. What if she did? You have
already dispelled that fancy from her mind.
o, cruelty kind madam, do not soiten your
searching glance, even though by 50 dong
YOU might spare her feelings! But remem'
ber-innrk rk-remeinl,er she IL pure wo.
man that presides over happy home.
These evidences of her self.denial have
beautiful background which you ought to
behold. She wears common dress; and
vet Ly so doing she makes her hoy, Wi'lle'
happy with new skates and n sleigh. Go
down To the frozen river. DO you notice
the little fellow with red cheeks AMI spark.
,liny ;eyes2 See how he glidcs over the Ice
now on one foot, now on tha other. and
now on both. Hurral! cap in air! cap in
hand! cap on tho head! Hurah! This
is fun These arc the new skates Aud
this Is the boys life! Those muscles md
sinews Of his body are gaining increased
power; they aro being brought up to tho
proper tension. To the hoy, skating is
sport; to his body, 1t is health; and to his
mother, It IL selfdenial, which brings with
it Joy unspeaknble. Wait till he shall
20 home to his supper, all elate with en-.
ioymcnt. Ito does not stop to run up tho
steps hut hurries in by the basement door,
for fear Of being late. THERE'S no lassitude
In his step, and no dyspepsia in his stomach.
lie sits down to the table, dashcs back the
huir from his forehead, looks into mann
J.. ma s eyes, whose image is his own, tells
her and papa what lots Of fun he has had,
then eats like ravenous little fellow that
els, md goes TO bed. .....
Who shall say that when the mother
stands by the bedside Of her sleeping boy
in whose veins pulses the energy Of strong
vitality, she will envy YOU. madam, with
your wealth and puny offspring, that is be-
Ing murdered with refined neglect? 10
not understand that mean to assert that
position Of afiluence always brings with It
neglect Of home duties. for know That
there arc many who are rich that scatter
blessings broadcast. In this instance. I
mean to point out the class to which you
belong.
Look sharp through your eyeglasses,
madam The lady to whom, l have called
your attention, has slackcncd her pace
and now she stands before poor blind
negro, around whose neck is string, and
from 1t is suspended box upon which is
printed, aI,unp." You passed him fifteen
minutes ngo. lie heard your coming and
departing steps, aud his mute appeal for
charity was unheeded by you. And yeI this
plain woman paused to add her little gin
Of money TO his scunty means, and to utter
word Of cheer to the soul behind those
sighlless eyes. Joy oveppreads the old
negro's face, and the woman has been ain.
ply repnid for her deed Of charity. Tell me
. madam, proud as you are, may i not be
that you are going through life filed with
sunshine and clouds, and yet seeing less
than the blind man upon tho corner OF
the street? Have you ever thought that
your body, which you dress 20 richly,
may have soul that Is dwarfed and repul.
sive? Have you ever reflected how few
nrs the good deeds that you do, and how
many are the selfish ones? The old
woman sitting by her fruit stand. over yon::
der, has iuce covered by wrinkles and
Drowned Ivy exposure and yet she has n
heart which fur s,irI,as-es yours in beauty
and gooslness. The lltile boys and girls
who have been made glad by the bon bons
and nuts which she hns given them. may
be reckoncd nv scores. You say, Those
were small things" Not for this old
woman ! Not for these children lsut have
you ever stopped child. on the sidewalk
and sid a cherry word ? No? We'll, try
the experiment, an,i yon will he asionlslied
n, the amount OF happiness which will 70
suit from such nm net. DO good deeds. and
thus clothe your soul IN garment OF ever
latsiug light. s-..