The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1874-08-06
good nut tlley needed a mothers

good but they have needed a mothers
care
1t is no light thing, Mr.. Arnold, ID
/ assume the place of q mother to child
rem who, for three years, have moi
known mothers affectionate care. ]
confess that my heart shrinks from the
| responsibility, and / ask myself over
and over again, Have l the requisite
wisdom, patience and self-deniaIH
Il believe you have, said Mr.. Arnold,
who was beginning TO see more deeply
into the heart of Agnes. And now,
he added, tell me what you think OF
my children
Mary has a quick temper, and is
rather self wiIiesi, ii my observation is
correct, but she has warm heart.
Florence is thoughtless, and untidy in
her person, but possesses a happy tenn
per of mind. Poor Maggie's ill health,
very naturally, sOured her disposition
All, what can you expect of a suffering
child WHO has no mother? Your little
Willie is a lovely boy, somew hat spoil
ed-who can wonder at this 2-but
possessing just the qualities to win for
him the kindness from every one.'
Il am suro you will love him. said
Mr.. Arnold, warmly.
I have no doubt on the subject re-
piled Agnes Greene, and now,' she
added, after what I have said, after
showing you that | am quick TO see
faults, once more give this matter ear
nest consideration. If become your
wife, and take The place of a mother to
these children. | shall at onee-wisely
and lovingly, trust-begin the work
of removing from their minds every
noxious weed that neglect may have
sown there. The task viii be no light
one, and in the beginning there may
be rebellion against my authority. To
be harsh or hard is not my nature.
But sense of duty will make me firm.
Once more say, give this matter seri-
Gus consideration. 1t is not yet too
late to pause
MIR Arnold bent his head in deep
reflection. For many minutes he sat
in silent in self-communion, and sat
thus SO long, that the heart of Agnes
Greene began 10 beat with restricted
motion, as if there was q heavy press
ure on her bosom. At last Mr.. Arnold
looked up, his eyes suddenly bright
ening, and his face flushing with ami
nation. Grasping her hands with
both of his, he said
have reflected, Agnes, and I do
not hesitate. Yes, / will trust these
dear ones to your loving guardianship.
[ will place in your hands their pres
ent and future welfare, confident that
you will be 10 them true mother.'
And she was. As often as it could
be done before the time appointed for
the marriage, she was brought in con-
tact with the children. Almost from
the beginning she was sorry to find
in Mary, the oldest child, a reserve of
manner, and an evident dislike toward
her, which she in vain endeaVored to
IL, l. l.,
did not know. 1t had its origin in
remark made by the ehousekeeper, who
having learned from some gossiping
relative of Mr.. Arnold's that a new
wife was soon to be brought home, and
also who this new wife was to be, made
an imprudent allusion to the fact in a
moment of forgetfulness.
Your new mother will soon put you
straight, my little lady, said she one
day to Mary, who had tried her be-
yond her patience.
My new mother, who's she, pray ?.
was sharply demanded.
Miss Greene replied The rejecting
house keeper. Your fathers going
to bring her home one of these days,
and make her your mother, and she
will put you all to rights-she will
take Down your fine airs, my lady,
'WilI she?' And Mary compressed
her lips tightly, and drawing up her
slender form To its full height, looked
the image of defiance.
From that moment strong dislike
to Miss Greene ruled in the mind of
Mary, and she resolved, should the
housekeeper's assertion prove true, not
only to set the new authority at def
anee, but to inspire, if possible, the
other children with her own feelings.
The marriage was celebrated at the
house of Mr.. Arnold, in the presence
of his own family and few particular
friends, Agnes arriving at the hour
appointed.
After the ceremony the children
We're brought forward and presented
to their new mother. The youngest,
as if strongly drawn by invisible cords
of affection, sprung into her lap, and
clasped his little arms lovingly around
her neck. Heseemed very happy. The
others were cold and distant, while
Mary fixed her eyes upon the wife of
her father with a look so full of dislike
and rebellion, that no one present was
in any doubt as to how she regarded
the new order of things.
Mr.. Arnold was a good deal fretted
by this unexpected conduct on the part
of Mary, and, forgetful of the occasion
lDS DOAC ~ LCl Will
sternness. He was recalled to self-pos-
session by the smile of his wife and
the gently uttered remark, that reached
his ear:
Don't seem to notice it. Let it be
my task to overcome prejudices.'
During the evening Mary did not
soften in the least towards her step
mother On the next morning when
all met for the first time at the break
fast table, the children gazed askance
at the calm, dignified woman, who
presided at the table, and seemed i'll
at ease. On Mary's lip, and in her eye
was an expression lilke contempt that
it was with difficulty her father could
refrain from ordering her to her room.
The meal passed in some embarrass-
ment. At its conclusion Mr.. Arnold
went into the parlor, and his wife en-
teriDg at once upon her duties, accom-
panied the children TO the nursery, to
see for herself that the two eldest were
properly dressed for school. Mary,
who had preceded the rest, was already
in contention with the housekeeper.
Just as Mrs. ArnOld-so we must now
call ber-entered the room, Mary ex-
claimed angrily:
Il don't care what you say, I'm GO
ing to wear this bonnet!
Whats the trouble p inquired Mrs.
Arnold, calmly.
Why, you see, ma'am, replied the
housekeeper, Mary is bent on wear
ing her new pink bonnet to school,
and tell her she mustn't do it. Her
old one is good enough
Let me see the old one said Mrs.
Arnold. She spoke in a very pleasant
tone of voice.
A neat straw bonnet, with plain, pp-
soiled trimming, was brought forth by
the housekeeper, who remarked
It's good enough to wear Sundays,
for that matter
I don't care if it is, I'm not going
to wear it to-day. So don't bother any
more about it,
20, yes. Mary, you will,' said Mrs.
Arnold, very kindly, yet firmly.
No, 1 wOn't!' was the quick, reso-
lule answer.-And she gazed unflinch-
ingly into the face of her stepmother.
- I'll call your father, my young lady
This is beyond all endurance = said the
housekeeper, starting for the door.
Hannah!' The mild, even voice OF
Mrs. Arnold checked the excited house,
keeper DON'T Snenk of il To her