Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1868-01-09
MISCELLANY.
Your Mother.---To Girls.

You all know the Divine command, Hon.
our thy father and thy mother" An unduti-
full child is an odious character, yet few young
/ people show the respect and obedience to their
parents that is becoming and beautiful. Did
you ever sit and recount the days and nights OF
care, toll, and anxiety you cost your mother
Did you ever try to measure the love that sus-
tanned your infancy and guided your youth p
! Did you ever think about how much more you
owe your mother than You will be able to re-
pay? If So did You ever yex or disobey her :?
If you did, it is sin of no common magnitude,
and shame which should make you burn
every time you think of it, 1t is a sin that is
sure to bring its reward in this world. new
er knew an undutiful daughter make happy
wife or mother. The feeling that prompts any
one to be unkind TO mother will make her
who INDUCES it wretched for life. If you
should lose your mother, you little dream how
the memory of every unkind look, orundutiful
word, every neglectofhe her wishes, will haunt you.
could nevert tell how sometimes feelin remem-
bering instances of neglect to my mother, and
yet, thanks to her care, | had the name of being
a good child. She told me, shortly before she
died. that bad never vexed her by any act of
disobedience and would not resign the MEM
ory of her appreciation for the plaudits of
world even though knew it was her love that
hid the faults, and magnifed all that was good.
know how many things ! might have done
to add to her happiness and repay her care,
that did not do; but the grave has cut off all
opportunity to rectify mistakes or atone for ne
glects Never, never lay up for yourself the
memory Of unkindness to your mother. If she
is afflicted, how can you possibly get tired of
waiting upon her? How can you trust any
one else to take your place about her? No one
could have filed her place to your peevish in
fancy and troublesome childhood. When she
is in her usual health, remember she is not so
Young and active as she once was. Wait upon
her. If she wants anything, bring it to her,
not because she could not get it herself, but to
show that you are thinking about her, and love
TO wait upon her. No matter how active and
healthy she may be, or how much she may
love TO work. she will love TO have you do any
/ little thing that viii show you are thinking OF
her. Onething more: never call either OF your
Darents a. old man or +" old woman" This is
rude and undutiful. There should be some
thing sacred, something peculiar, in the word
that desiguates parents. The tone of voice in
which they are addressed should be afiectionate
and respectful. A short surly answer from a
child to a parent falls very harshly on the ear
of any person who has any idea of flial duty.
Be sure. girls, that you each win for yourselves
the name of dutiful daughter. II is much
easier to be a good daughter than good wife
or mother; but she who fails in this first most
simple relation need never hope to I'LL another
well Make her your confdant; the secret
you dare not tell her is dangerous secret, and
one that will be likely to bring you regret, and
YOU should love her so well that it would not
be felt punishment to give up the happiest
partv to remain with her But unloved and
unloving, you will live and die, if you do not
love and honour your father and mother.