Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-07-28
SELECTED STORY
TWO MOTHERS.

WV WO I1En0.
Mrs. Lennox and Mrs. Wallace we're
sisters. Both were widows, and each had
an only son, but there the similarity ended,
for no two sisters nor two brothers could
have been more unlike. Mrs. Lennox was
a tall, black-eyed woman, with will Of iron
and look, when reused, few would like to
encounter a second time, and, over above
all, extravagantly fond Of her son Edwin in
whom she could see no flaw or blemish. -
Mrs. Wallace was an ordinary looking wo-
man, with no more salient points Of charac-
ter than merely saved her from absolute
mediocrity, and whose love for her boy was
mingled with grave misgivings as to his fu.
ture, for Mark Wallace was tall, stout lad
| Of twelve, brimful of mischief, loving a lark
better than books, and to whom excitement
was q necessity. At ia 2@i 1'f
Edwin Lennox, on the other hand, seem.
ed to justify his mothers fondest praise. =
Quiet, studious, trembling at the slightest
word Of rcproof, almost girlish in his man
ners. AS it would be hard to point out a
better boy than be, Mrs Wallace listened j,
with sigh, to the mothers praise of her
sons good qualities, and, believing in them.
sought to bring the boys together, in the
hope that Edwin's quiet habits would, in
some measure, tone down Marks FESTIVE
temperament, but oil and water would have
as little affinity for each other as had those
two natures, and both boys seemed well
pleased when the occasional visits drew to
an end. -.5..;.
1t was during one Of these periodical Wis
its to Mrs. Lennox's fine country home,
that one morning the two ladies sat together
in the neat sitting room, where Edwin was
preparing his morning task
MARY" said Mrs. Lennox, looking up
suddenly, in way that convinced her visi-
tor she had something unpleasant to com.
municate 81 feel it my duty to warn you
that your indulgence is sure to end in Marks
eternal ruin. No child left so entirely to
the bent Of his own inclinations will end in
creditable way. 1t is only this morning
I heard you forbid Marks going to fish to,
day, and now Harry tells me he has gone
down to the pond A son of mine would
not dare thus openly to disobey me. Fish.
ing is one of the forbidden pleasures tc
Edwin, and feel convinced he would az
soon commit theft as to go even once
against my wishes
"Has he really never been fishing ?'-
asked Mrs. Wallace incredulously, as fain1
recollection ofa fishing party of which Ed
win had been spoken Of as prominent mem
Der flashed through her mind, but a look al
the boy made her doubt her memory; for
he sat as quiet and unconcerned as if his
own praise was too habitual topic to give
him even moment concern.
''Of course not!" Indignantly replied
Mrs. Lennox. "Thank Heaven and my
own discipline, Edwin obeys without
murmur or comment A boy like MARI
would have but little mercy at my hands
and he would soon learn that perfect obedi
ence to my wishes was absolute necessity
"But Jane, Edwin and Mark are SO diff
ferent in disposition that system that ha'
answered admirably for one might be tn,
ruin Of the other" urged the mother timid
ly. ~ ..., 3l.5" *
Nonsense, Mary Indulgence is mucf
more likely to do it. See here he comes
as happy as q lark. and perfectly indiaer
ent to the fact that he has gone in direc
opposition to your wishes. I hope you will
treat him as he deserves" ! g1s7 vs.
Thus urged, Mrs. Wallace turned a fac
full of frowns to the flushed, joyous face 0
her son, who entered the room at that in
slant, holding up in triumph string of fin
speokled trout. .5:JDsfl
T. 'See, mother" he exclaimed, s'here'
a treat for your luncheon, cheap / A kis
will buy the lot" and he stopped to CLAIM
his pay. a ~ 19s5
II cannot reward your disobedience
Mark p and Mrs Wallace's tone was harsh
er than was its wont, as she felt her sister
eye resting upon her. I'll s...4 lsa e.
A look Of mingled pain and shame fllet
the boyish face as his mother avoided tn
proaered kiss, and the fish, held up SO ex
ultingly mouent before, fell to his side.
"Did you say should not 60, motber?'
"Of course she did, and you know it, 70
1 heard for myself" exclaimed Mrs. Len
nox, unable to restrain her anger at wha
she considered her sisters culpable weak
ness.
| Adih " atiaoo tHiAVu YUM, "uS .
, glance at his aunt, and hasty reply ros
} to his lips, but be mastered himself, an.
looking at his mother, continued: $50 yo'
did mother, and indeed I wouldn't hav
gone if I had thought about it but it's al
your fault
"There I told you so, Mary. The chile
himself reproaches you with your lack 0
frmness u a 81
a"I'm doing nothing Of the kind |" almos
screamed the boy, mad with passion tina
his mother should be blamed for his short
oomings. eff you'd only listen till wa
done, you'd hear how it was. Mother sait
she would like to have some trout to-day
and even if am boy, I like to pleas
her when can Indeed, mother, that's tn
reason forgot all about what you told me
Won't you buy them from me now moth
er % and the boy looked eagerly into hi