The Elk County advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Pa.) 1868-1883, 1869-01-22
smitten mother sobbed humbly before the

smitten mother sobbed humbly before the
open drawer
1T is just !" she cried in anguish. II
have not been a mother to them, and they
have forgotten-and why should they not :
the duty of children. One by one they
forsook me, without regret or remorse. Now
there are TWO repro chful faces to forever
upbraid me-two haunting voices to say In
all these years you have not kissed me. oh,
Nellie /! III try to make your life happier
than hers was"
The tears dried on the mothers rough
cheek the hard look came back to the
strong face regainlng the habitual compo-
sure of eye and voice, her meekness outward
ly was over. She opened the window, locked
the door, and, with firm step, went back
to her active life as if no tear had dimmed
her severe eyes, or no prayer of remorse had
fallen from her resolute lipes Work was
her only refuge-her only escape from the
shadows that surrounded her narrow way
True, her will was unbroken, and her arm as
vigorous as formerly. But did she forget ?
No Was not the plated locket ever resting
on her heart 7 Was not the room of Agnes
sacred
When her husband and son came into their
late dinner, Mrs. Hatield's face told nothing
of her aching heart.
Mr.. Hatfield delighted in wandering over
his farm on Sunday; in counting the sheep;
| sailing the CATTLE and designating fine tim
ber trees to his dutiful son John. He geper-
| ally wiled away the time. Agnes took advau-
tsge of this habit, as we have seen, to prepare
her bridal toilet at home. Nothing could be
guessed from the mothers impenetrable fea-
lures as she sat still and uncommunicative at
the head of the table, leisurally pouring tea
1ost Tobn 1,,d
"Where is Agnes?"
"Gone, replied his mother, with short,
hard laugh.
| "Gone!-wheie?" questioned John, paus-
ing in the rapid business of slowing away
bread and butter.
81 don't know" she returned briefly.
care you SURE she's out?" queried John,
doubtfully, for his sister being absent at
meal time was something extraordinary.
ayes, and will never return" was the curt
answer
"Followed AL, perhaps, put in Hatfield,
glibly. "Runnin' away belongs to the fami-
ly on that side.'
His wife looked ut him witheringly; there
was an omious sparkle in her eye and her
lips trembled with pain and rage; but she
made no reply. The one blghted look,
however, effectually silenced her audacious
spouse, who, without venturing further COM
ment, humbly subsidized to his pork and
beans.
"Why. what can you mean, mother said
John. increduously. ..
"Nothing, but that Agnes is married.
married to-day in the church. 1t was HER
wedding that all the town was talking about
was there" shortly explained his mother.
"Good heavensr' exclaimed John in amaze
p,apt nd who did shp rnorry9r
"Robert Stewart; and she has gone away
with her husbands that is ALL, she replied.
calmly slipping her tea.
John looked blank, aud Hatfield stared at
his composed better-half with his mouth full.
Both were utterly astounded, and remained
silent John thought II am glad that Ag-
gle is free;' and Mr.. Hatfield mentally de-
cided "that Ag had done WELL" concluding
that old Mr. Stewart must pay him due re-
spect as the stepsire of his sons wife. With
all her hard, uncouth nature, the mother
alone was sorrowful.
In the dusk of the quiet Sabbath evening
she sat on the kitchen steps. meditating on
the strange events of the day. Suddenly abe
took up bright eyed little Nellie, who was
playing at her feet, and tenderly kissed the
astonished child. "YoU shall profit by thi;
days lesson, she murmured 'you shall ney
/ er say, like my lost Agnes did this morning
In all these years, you have never kisset
me- III try to be mother to you, Mel
= lie."
The childs dimpled hand wandered caress
iugly over its mothr's loved face until thu
wee fingers were wet, but not with the nigh
: dew. From that hour she was never know
r to scold or fret at the wearsome child of he
e old age. Daily she became more silent
| nd mi IN, baroalf. calAon, cpaal m,
, to any one, but always at work. Life wen
: on in the old way. Occasionally tidings o
' Agnes came vaguely to the inmates of tn
old homestead. She was rich, happy AM
! beautiful surrounded by love and care
, Mrs. Stewart in spite of her mature reason
= could not conquer the innate fear she felt o
v her mother Inculcated in her desolate child
8 hood, now. though woman mingling in tn
e fashionable sphere of cultivated life sh
could not shake it off But conscience eve
j. whispered, .Return to the mother you hav
e undutifully deserted, and crave her pardon
She is your mother. Be reconciled, oh
child! with the bosom that pillowed thy il
= fant head" Agnes did not head the war;
e ing, and so the years passed on, with one foe
l. a stranger to the doorway of the dingy farm
Y house.
o 1t was remarked that as Nellie grew oldt
she was not put to work asAg had been, BIT
d was left to run and shout about the yard a
IT ter school, supremely Indifferent on the sui
g jects of milking and dish-washing, wit
j. neither hard work nor hard words to saddle
her youthful spirits. Little Nellie was ha'
ing q childhood.
e fro BE CONTINUED.
%
e SWEARING. Mothers, ask your sons
| L., 10 Ill