Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1875-04-08
Il COURTEOUS MOTHER.

~
During the whole of one of last sum-
mer's hottest days had the good fortune
to be seated in a railway car near a
mother and four children, whose rela-
lions with each other were SO beautiful
that the pleasure of watching them was
quite enough to make one forget the dis
comforts of the journey.
1t was plain that they were poor
their clothes were coarse and old, and
had been made by inexperienced hands.
The mothers bonnet alone would have
been enough to have condemned the
whole party on any of the worlds thor
Oughfares. / remembered afterward,
with shame, that myself had smiled at
the first sight of its antiquated ugliness
but her face was one which it gave You
a sense of rest to look upon-it was so
earnest, tender, tue and strong. 1t
had little comeliness of shape or color
In lit was thin and pale she was not
young she had worked hard she had
evidently been much i'll but have seen
few faces which gave me such pleasure.
think she was the wife of a poor clergy
man and think that clergyman must
be one of the Lords best watchmen of
souls. The children-two boys and two
girls-were all under the age of II, and
the youngest could not speak plainly
They had had rare treat they had
been visiting the mountains and
they were talking over all the
wonders they had seen with
a glow of enthusiastic delight
which was to be envied. Only word
for-word record would do justice to their
conversation no description could give
any idea of it-so free, so pleasant, so
genial, no Interruptions, no cOntadic-
tons and the mothers part borne all
the while with such equal interest and
eagerness that no one not seeing her face
would dream that she was any other than
an elder sister. In the course of the day
there were many occasions when it was
necessary for her to deny requests, and
to ask services, especially from the eldest
boy; but no young girl, anxious to please
lover, could have done either with a
more tender courtesy. She had her re-
ward for no lover could have been more
tender and manly than this boy of II.
Their lunch was simple and scanty; but
it had the grace of a royal banquet. At
the last the mother produced with much
glee three apples and an orange, of which
the children had not known. All eyes
fastened on the orange. 1t was evident
ly a great rarity. 1 watched to see if
this test would bring out selfshness.
There was little silence just the shade
of cloud. The mother said "How
shall / divide this There is one for
each of you and shall be best off OF
all, for expect big tastes from each OF
you"
80, give Annie the orange. Annie
a sudden air of conquerer, and at the
same time taking the smallest and worst
apple himself.
80, yes, let little Annie have the
orange, echoed the second boy, who was
nine years old.
'sYes, Annie may have the orange, be
cause that is nicer than the apples, anG
she is lady, and her brothers are gen
tlemen," said the mother, quietly. Their
there was merry contest as to who
should feed the mother with the larges,
and most frequent mouthfuls; and SO the
feast went on. Then Annie pretended
to want apple, and exchanged thin gold
en- trips of orange for bites out of the
cheeks of Baldwins; and as sat watch
ing her intently, she Suddenly fancied
she saw longing In my face, and sprane
over to me, holding out quarter of ar
orange, saying, 90 Don't you want taste,