The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1871-03-09
For Parents and Cnildren-Keep the
Birthdays.

Yes, keep the birthdays! No matter
if the number is large. Even If there
should be dozen of them to be remem-
bered. What if little Jimmie, VINO is
six today, must have new pair of
boots, and if the little red knee does
crowd its way through the thin cloth,
show him in some way that you have not
forgotten his birthday.
What if little three year old Susie does
need new dress, and her last year hood
is too small, keep her birthdays. But
how can l keep all the birthdays ?''-
says wearied mother, whose endeavor
to keep all the dear ones who surround
her hearth always tidy-has written lines
ofcare and anxiety all over her once love-
ly face.
Let me give you practical illustra-
ton: Tomorrow, said mother, is the
sixth, and Willie will be twelve years
cid. How the time flies! Let me see,
must get something for him. But
the careful father who has been look
ing over last months expenses, and finds
so little balance in his favor, says, ''not
| this time, the children must not always
lexpect something, there are so many,
and so many things to get this winter. "
Yes, know, replies the mother, but
| bye and bye they will not be with us,
and [ would have them bear pleasant
memories of home, love and care, when
they can no longer be with us,
Tears fill the loving fathers eyes as he
remembers that some have gone out
from the roof that can never-no, never
return. And his voice falters as he
wishes his purse would enable him to
crafty every reasonable desire of his
dear ones.
But the mother more fertile in inven-
ton, suggest, I'll not be to any expense
I'll make his favorite pudding for dinper
and let him know [ made it for his
birth day. Noon came, and boisterous,
generous laughing Willie, came with the
rest, teasing and laughing at them al
by turns, till dessert is served, when the
mother says, ''It is Willie's birthday tc
day, so | have prepared his favorite pud
ding. Love can not always find way tc
! purchase presents for these anniversaries
but some time they will return, and nc
mother will be near to prepare food CT
kiss him." The laug ching is hushed, and
impulsive Willie comes round and lays
his hand in the mother and assures hel
that wherever he shall 60 he shall re-
member her love, and the sunshine Of
his boyhood's home.
And years after, when amid the battle
smoke, and the wearysome hours that be-
fel a prisoner in Libby" he thought Of
the many little acts that expressed the
love Of the friends Of his early years
think you they brought no thought Of
cheer? Aye, keep the birthdays In
that same family little five year old Nell
urged some absent ones to ''come home
Tuesday, as it is my birthday, you know
and ma is going to get-upa chicken
That same mother was in the habit
after the children began to leave home,
| and make homes for themselves, if she
could not send them something Q f her
preparing, some little extra treat for the
family, she would write to the absent
ones: We had so and so, yesterday. =
Youknov it was your birthday, and [
could Mt let it pass unnoticed. And now
when her labors Of love are done, and
her weary hands folded over her pulse
less breast. think her children will cease
to think with grateful love of those little
things that helped to make home beau
tiful? Little. boys and girls, remember
the birthdays-not your own [ mean
but father and mothers, and brother S
and sisters, and in some way show your
loving care and it will be as sweet drops
Of which your lips must surely drink
some day, and the memory of the love
that prompted such little things may save
the dear ones from wandering very far
from the right path ; and you gather on
the Evergreen Shore and not until
then, will it be known how much such
little kindness have helped you TO SO bear
life's trials as not to 'fall out by the
way
KEEP TIE BIRTHDAYS!