Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1870-03-10
YOUTHS DEPARTMENT
THE FACES WE MAKE.
BIZ nosRLLA RICE.

BIZ ROsRLLA RICE.
Ny DKAR LTrrLR CHILDREN.-One
day last week went to visit some poor,
lonely little boys and girls whose mother
was dead, and who had nobody to take
care of them but their old grandmother.
I feel 20 sorry for such desolated house.
holds that I like to visit them and say
something 10 comfort and help the moth
erless ones
It il twenty eight years since my own
mother died, and We, i've little crying
children, were left, oh so lonely, that even
now never think Of it without shedding
tears.
remember how in those still summer
nights we would cuddle together out on
the grass in the farthest corner of the
dooryard, al closely together as brood
of chickens, and the poor little heads
would lie in my lap, and we would look up
at the stars and talk of our mother, end
creep closer together and then the dear
baby would reach his chubby hands
heavenward and cry, Oh, mamma, NAM
ma 4" SO piteously that our hearts could
not contain their grief, and we would all
cry aloud, calling on that beloved name.
This must be the reason why so love
and sympathize with motherless children.
l said to those little ones whom visit
ed lately, Have you a picture of your
mother! would like to see 1t, if you
have"
The oldest girl said they had not-that
they always meant to have one taken some
time when they were at town, but they
neglected it, and it never was done. .
"Why, yes, sis, we have mas picture"
said the child next older than the baby !;
and he jumped off my knee and ran to a
closet, and tumbled about among some old
papers and brought out ragged old geog-
raphy; whirled the leaves with great
alacrity, and holding it up as high as his
head, came to me in triumph, saying,
There's our mas picture-that looks
'zactly like our ma now!"
ooh now, Teddy, it don't look bit like
her." said the oldest sister. blushing and
looking ashamed and grieved. gave her
glance sideways as much as to say, "Of
course it don't, but then let the little fell
low have it his own way-it's trifiing
matter"
Now simple sweet little child is not to
be deceived in anything of this kind. l
knew there must be some resemblance to
his mother in that picture, or he would not
have seen 1t so plainly.
Oh, the picture was such an ugly one |!
the mouth was drawn down at the corners;
and you know what true tale that tells
of dissatisfied, fretful, fault-finding dis
position. Inever saw that kind off mouth
belonging tot healthy, happy, hearty,
contented person.
A handkerchief was bound about the
Jaws as If for toothache, and the shoulders
were stopped, and the whole attitude was
everything but pleasant and agreeable.
The dark brows were drawn down and
were scowling and repulsive.
This little incident made me very sad
indeed. ! talked to the children and told
them how to be good, and that they must
love and help and care for one another,
and not tempt each other to anger
If one was angry they must speak only the
soft answer that "turncth away wrath,
and by so doing they could help each other
to be good. They listened attentively, and
said, awe WILL" and the three smaller
ones held each others hands, and looked
up into my face as though they were treas
uring up every word that fell from my
lips
My heart yearned over those lone little
dears
On inquiry, I learned that their mother
had been fre:ful, scolding woman, i'm
patiently and easily excited to anger, and
that the picture in the old geography was
not at all unlike her, the ill-natured face be-
ing the true index to her character. Oh
what legacy to leave ones children was
the memory of a scolding, whining, cross
mother Our faces are TO our souls what
the index page is to the book.
Don't let US make them ugly. We
should not allow ourselves to be angry,
and our faces to scowl, and our br0ws to
draw down, because IL we indulge in evil
passions, no matter how sweetly we may
smile, and what honeyed words fall from
our lips, the truth is too plainly written in
our faces TO deceive any one very long at
time. 1t is carved therein every feature
by chisel that is welded by Hand that
never errs or makes mistakes.
One time went with q lady to have
her little boys picture taken. He was q
handsome child, had soft blue eyes, fine
fresh complexion, long curly hair, and he
was dressed in q new velvet suit with
dainty ruffles about his neck, and bosom,
and wrists, and we thought his picture
would be one of the finest ever taken.
His little dog went with us, and Eddie
said Princes picture should be taken sit
ting on his lap
His mother said, "We'll see about it,
dearie !" and all the time she meant that
no dogs picture should go with her boys,
but she had not the decision OF character
to tell him so. After Eddie was all fixed
nicely, with one little fat leg doubled up
in very natural childish posture, and his
hands fxed and little ringlets made to fall
prettily at one side Of his face and on his
forehead, the artist said, Now he is all
ready. / think this will make fine pic
ture."
81 want my dog" called out Eddie.
"Oh no, dear the picture is to send to
Chicago to papa. and we'll not have yours
and Princes taken together. Let Princy
be taken by himself" said the silly
mother, kissing him.
NO, will have my dog, now see If l
don't" and he Strengthened both legs out
as s.iffiy as sticks, and tangled his curls,
and crumpled his ruf,ies, and changed into
one of the ugliest looking little boys l
ever did zee.
you shall not have your dog" said
his mother, angrily, shaking him all over.
twill, you ugly old thing, your ssid
he stamping fnriously. Then came dis
graceful fight, and Eddie's fists were made