Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1874-01-07
THE POWER OF PREJUDICE,
"ALwAYs HEAR BOTH SIDES OF STORY. >

seated myself beside her.
And who is the happy person?" I
asked.
Happy, indeed? Who would think
of expecting happiness where step
mothers are concerned ?" she exclaimed.
But is not the lady amiable, Caro-
line ?"
Gas to that do not know" was the
answer; 81 am not acquainted with her.
But really think Mr.. Burton a cruel
man. He cannot have his child's hap
plness at heart, or q strange woman
would not be brought into his family to
destroy the merry days of Clara. / do
not believe that good stepmother ever
existed"
"Why, Caroline, you speak very
warmly, and without much experience,
1 fear" said Mrs. Marshall, q friend
who was visiting in the family, and
overheard the observation.
perhaps 1 do" replied Caroline.
But candor compels me to say that /
have witnessed more discord and un-
happiness produced in families by step
mothers, than from any other one
cause"
"But you should recollect, my dear,
that your remark might be qualified
somewhat. There are exceptions to
every rule. Do you not suppose that
there have been stepmothers who loved
children not their own, and were equally
beloved by them in return?" asked Mrs.
Marshall, earnestly.
II will not dispute that you may
know of such cases, but cannot say as
much for myself, said Caroline, firmly.
81 may be prejudiced, perhaps"
81 think / could convince you that
You are, somewhat but I fear my re-
marks on this disagreeable theme would
not be listened to with much pleasure"
reioined the visitor, looking archly at
Caroline
you wrong me, Mrs. Marshall"
said the latter, with warmth. 81 am
perfectly willing to be convinced that
my sentiments are erroneous on this
subject. And look-Maria has laid
aside her work, aud know will listen
gladly. Is it not SO, cousin 2"
Having signified my assent, Mrs.
Marshall commenced:
"For the sake of convenience, shall
put my relation in the first person.
When L was ten years old my mother
died. I did not realize her loss but
when saw her borne to her last rest
ing-place, and the earth thrown over
her, / sobbed as though my heart would
break. Her health had always been
delicate, and was petted and indulged
quite too much for my good. Being an
only child, was almost idolized by
both parents but the beneficial infu-
ence my mother ever eIerted over me,
prevented evil consequences. Was
dutiful, and unusually attentive to my
lessons, her affectionate words, q fond
kiss or a smile of encouragement, was
sufficient reward. Was remiss in duty
or careless, the grieved and reproachful
glances from her mild, expressive eye,
would Immediately soften my feelings
and make me obedient. But the pure,
disinterested and fervent love of fond
mother is never valued until we are de-
prived of it by death.
"The sorrows of childhood are not
lasting. My father turned to me in his
grief and loneliness, and for time /
was happy. l was confided to the care
of woman who had lived in the family
since my mothers marriage. She had
acted in the capacity of nurse and COM
panion to the latter, and was very fond
of me. 1t was probably this circum-
stance that prevailed upon my father to
leave me so much in her society. She
was rather an ignorant woman, and had
many superstitious notions and preju- |
dices, one of which was a violent anti |
pathy to stepmothers.
How this dislike originated, I know |
not; but her ideas on this subject were
repeated so often in my hearing, that |
naturally / also imbibed the same |
opinions. was taught to dread moth
ing so much as a stepmother /; one that
would usurp the place of my dead
mother, and no doubt treat me un-
kindly.
Zone year passed away. Ny father
began to absent himself oftener than
formerly. His absence would have
passed unremarked by me, had not the
suspicious looks and changed manner
of my nurse awakened my apprehen-
sions. Suspicion soon became certainty. |
A rumor spread abroad that was soon
to have a new mother. Although l was
but a child, I was unhappy. This,
however, was kept from my father.
"'Alice, said nurse to me one day,
people say that your father is going to
bring home s new mother for you. I am
very sorry, for he has forgotten your
poor, dear mother sooner than could
have thought. But do not cry, Alice (;
shall stay, if they will let me, on pur-
pose to take your part, and once in q
while put by q little cake and few
sweetmeats. You shall have one friend
to look after you,' she added, kissing
my cheek, down which the tears were
slowly coursing.
$50 nurse, / cannot-will not like
her Why should father do so ? e1-
claimed, sobbing bitterly. She will
not let me sit in the parlor, nor read
any books, nor
".But you can sit with me darling,
interrupted nurse so don't make your
head ache with crying. 1t will do no
good
.While I was thinking of this
thoughtless and ill-timed speech, my
father entered the room, and affection
ately kissed my forehead.
...What is the matter, Alice? What
has gone wrongT he asked.
II made no reply, for I did not wish
to tell the truth.
"'Come and sit on my knee, Alice
want to talk with you,' he continued.
81 rather reluctantly obeyed.
"'Since your dear mother left US,
he resumed, . 4 know you have been very
lonely and unhappy. 1 have been
thinking, my child, that if you had
some one to love and care for you with
a mothers affection, it would be much
pleasanter. Should you not like new
mother, my dear Alice?
"sI do not want another mother! She
will not love me, and I shall not love
her. sobbed, burying my face in my
hands.
"sMrs. Hammond, who has been talk
ino TO the child?' asked my father,
sternly. Such feelings come not with