The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1873-12-04
From Woods Household Magazine.l
Step-Mothers.

We suppose we are not the only pub
fishers constantly receiving communica-
tions on the above subiect-but perhaps,
as publishers, we stand alone in refusing
to print such articles-as rule. There
are two sides to this step-mother ques-
ton but in general, the public hears only
thatIof the children, and accords to them
unbounded sympathy, when oftentimes
their actions deserve severe denunciation.
Three-quarters of the trouble between
step-mother and child is caused by med
ding third parties is brought about by
Misrepresentation; is effected by the in
fuenee of just such effectively-written
stories as the one we have just read and
reiected-the one which led to these re-
marks. The writer of it frankly admits
she never had a step-mother, that the
narrative is merely the result of her i'm
agination, adding: "but if what ] hear
is true, it will apply to many cases, and
any way, | always did have a prejudice
against them" Yes, one would Judge
sol The story is powerfully written, but
a child, after reading it, could not but be
miserable, through the impression given
if afterwards fated with a step-mother
So long as the world stands, and men
marry, and wives die, there wiU be step
mothers-there is no getting aside of
this-women aOiU be installed in Just such
positions, and there is nothing to prevent.
Stories founded on occasional facts, SLAM
der based on exceptional cruelty, will
not hinder such occurrences a feathers
weight-but such articles UiU do harm
and DiH take the brightness from many
home, which, otherwise, would have
known only sunshine A woman may
be ever so amiable, ever so beautiful, ever
so charming, let her enter a gentleman's
family, as step-mother to his children,
and in short time the public is whisper
ing about her cruelty, her cold heart, her
selfishness, &C.. &c. If the children are
ever seen in soiled attire, its all
"along o that step-mother !" if Johnny
slips off his shoes, and steals slyly, de-
lightedly out into the street, barefooted
ten chances to one the neighbors don't
say, with sighs and lamentations, "Poor
dear Mrs. O., who ever thought her
little boy would have come to this" If
Minnie eats with childish voracity at
neighbor,s, its because "She's halfstarved
by her step-mother, poor child" and if
Sarah's curls become burdensome in the
hot weather, and are in all kindness shorn
from the little fair head by the step-mo-
thers hand, the public wonders "Mrs.
O. doesn't turn in her grave" To tell
the truth, it is very difficult to find any
one who takes very much stock in step
mothers kindness. Now this is not COM
mon sense at all, and is exceedingly un-
just If step-mothers were all chosen
from certain class of individuals, then
a pitiful plant of their misdoings might
well apply to all but here they are,
some of them the very salt of the earth,
differing widely in temperament, even as
own mothers differ; selected from the
same social circles to which own mothers
have belonged; respected loved, admired,
hitherto-but now all blighted by that
opprobrious term-step-mother, because
in exceptional cases, women in those po-
sitions have failed to do their duty by
their husbands children, even as women
fail at times to do their duty by their
own. In ninety-nine cases out of a hun
dred, there is discord in the families of
fathers who have married a second time;
we say discord-perhaps that is too strong
word, but we mean there exists in such
families a feeling, whether hidden or
manifest, that is not harmonious; that
is not akin to peace and unity. In three
quarters of theEe ninety-nine cases, we
believe this is brought about by misun-
derstandings, occasioned by gossip, by
stories, or prejudice, formed by this un-
wise talk, these current opinions these
popular beliefs. And so long as such
stories are rife, so long will this feeling
exist-so long will it be impossible to
convince the child of buried mother,
that the new one intends anything for
her good. Instead, the slightest act will
be misinterpreted; the best motive twis-
ted and the child in its ally will see on
ly its enemy. The child's vision is warp
ed; its disposition is not malicious, but
it is prejudiced by older people-by peo-
pie who in other things show better
sense. 1t distorts everything; and eve
ry smile-which from stranger would
win its heart-in a step-mother it puts
down as hypocritical as an effort towards
getting the best of me-" thinks the
child 1t would seem but little use for
the step-mother to offer advice or sugges-
tions under such circumstances the
child bitterly comments that she wants
to boss me" and Immediately goes in
contrary direction. If, in her anxiety,
the wife appeals to her husband to exer-
else his authority over the belligerant, she
is denounced as endeavoring to steel the
fathers heart against his child. as
there any remedy for this? you ask, and
your very tone shows you believe there
is none People have such little faith in
gradual cures they want q presto! changei
or they at once lose their enthusiasm