Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1871-1872, 1871-08-12
MOTHERS, BE CAREFUL.

Mrs. Carlton felt fretful. Things had
gone wrong with her eli day, and when
things went wrong with her, she always
soolded Not that she was usually cross,
for she was not; she did her best to make
home pleasant for husband and child, but
she had not fully learned the sweet grace OF
patience with the little annoysuces of life.
The husband was Awy at the villsge, and
little Fred wss at school, SO there was no
one 20 scold ct but the dog, who missed his
little master, and kept following Mrs. Carl
ten with q mute sppssl for notice. She push
ed him with her foot, and said,
DO go away you ugly, good-for-notbiug
dog r
Rover went away, but seemed doggishly
to question the propriety of calling hin ugly
when be always ooeyed the slightest ges
ture of command or good for MOTH q z,
when only two years before be had saved
little Freddie from q watery grave. Soon
he wisely concluded not to trouble him self
about what could not be helped, and lay
down on the doosstep to take 3 nap.
Mrs. Carlton seemed TO come to . Ike
conclusion and lay down on the sofa for
little restlsod was going to sleep when
quick, glad bark aroused her, sud Fred and
his friend burst noisilg into the room.
so mother y cried the eager child" ~ can
say the multiplication table up to twelve,
and spell California y
80 dear! | wish you we're tn California !!
l wish you ever could be still u
Tears dimmed The sparkling eyes Of little
Fred as he glided softly up TO her
"Did l make your head ache? am so
sorry, mother.
She did not return his kiss, but pushed
him from her saying,
"Du go away and let me have a minutes
peace !"
As Rover and Fred went into the next
room, the dog gave low, peculiar bark,
which seemed to say,
mo use trying to suit her; leTs 60 out
and have some fun
mo no, Rover" answered the child.
Mother is tired, and her head aches. She
is a dear good mother see, she has made
little pie for you and me. l Am so noisy it
makes her nervous. Grandpa calls me
perpetual notion but l really can't keep
still"
The mother heard, and her heart smote
her. Her boy was noisy, but she had no 9th
er fault to find with him. She could not
help contrasting his obedient, Affsctionate
disposition, with the sullen willfulness of
many children, and could not bat confess
that the ohild's forbesrAnce was greater
than her own, She heard him bring in
wood, and lay ii down carefully, Rover as
sistiug by taking stick in his mouth. After
filling the kettle for tea, he said to Rover
"There, / guess that is all we can do now,
let's go and play"
First Q race down the green lane, to the
old elm. The mother saw them pass the
open door, the chIld's cheek rosy and his
dark eyes sparkling with health, his chestnut
ourls floating back on the wind. She will
not forget that picture to her dying day
Under the elm, Master Fred proceeded to
teach Rover to stand erect and spell Cali
fornis after which he said gFavely,
That will do, Rover; you have been very
attentive. Now for the barn"
Little Fred was noted for climbing, and
felt Just as easy close to the roof of the
large old barn, as on the floor below, AID
great was his JOY when he had succeeded IN
constructing rude steps from which Rover
could leap from the hay NOV to the scaffold
But to-day the child's foot slipped on the
great beam, and he fell to the floor. Mrs.
Carlton heard the cry, but before she could
get to the door, Rover Was at her feet poor
dumb creature trying fr&ntically to tell her
what had come to Fred
When she saw him lying there, bruised
and senseless, the terrible memory OF her
last words to him smote her to the earth
Had the Almighty heard her peevish words
and laid him still forever? A low moan
from the chld's white lips brought her 70
her feet again That cry of pain was music
now for it spoke of life
What was done during the next hour, al,
never knew distinctly, but few minu,er
after the accident, the noble dog fell pant
ing at his masters feet in the village tw
miles away. A note fastened to his collar
told Mr.. Carlton the sad news. Mr.. CarIto
and the physician scarcely hoped to find tn
child alive. But the brave boy smie
through his pain. and .aid,
"Don't cry, father, the doctor will cur
me-"
For long time his hold on life was sigh
and when ct last the physician said tn
worst was over, he had to add the pititu
truth. 6but he can never walk cay more"
Poor Rover pinned for his little plAy-te
low, and when at last he was allowed to go
him, seemed almost beside himself will
JOY.
Mrs. Carlton learned good lesson in thu
school Of afliction. She never soolded an
more; and il cut her 20 the heart when th
little fellow said one day,
know now Why used TO be 90 noisy
mother. God knew I lad only six years y