Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1877-10-04
The Old Folks at Home.

First. sal sacred above all i that dear
old mothef-or a we have heard her
profanelv l!Iuded to- in slang paflance,
a the "Old Woman" She who has faith
miy performed every maternal duty 10 a
large iamiy->irugx ling patiently and
constantly. all the way from the starting
post Of bridal youth and beauty 10 wrink-
led age; never shlrking a. single duty
however dlsagrreable; never faltering eth
er at deprivation or sacrifice constant,
enduring. patient and loving, until She
had seen the last loved child ly en-
barked upon the outward bound voyage
OF life.
At her advanced stage OF lie 10 Is natur-
al TO expect diminution OF that vivacity
" hlch Tor half century has been the very
magnetism OF the love circle; and owing
tn the new associations which cluster
arourd the young and hopeful voyagers.
Il is TOO common for them TO forget those
maternalies and duties once so sacIed
Thus 1t is that she is too often referred 10
as the "Od Woman" Just as you would
speak OF broken down horse, that has
been irs best days and drawn Its last load
Her days OF usefulness have passed, and
she requires but little for the rest OF the
Journey. Something TO eat ard less to
wear-it may be grudgingly given hoping
the dear Old creature will be good enough
TO peg out before the bill becomes Il bore
Ii perChsnce, she has wisely provided
against future neglect aud still Keeps her
bank bslahce good, or b. literally credited
on the assessors books, the case may turn
out quite otherwise Gold is gilded
balm i"r wrinkles aud whitns-it will COW
er 4 multitude of slns-even that OF grow
Ing old.
There are, however, goodly exceptions
to the rule. Sons and daughters there
are Hho resereutly revere the words t. h.
er and mother, as the most sacred OF arm :;
who under all circumstances take rare
pleasure ia proving their deep gratitude :;
who watch there decllnn: wears untiriug-
ly and anticipate their every want And
why not. 1t is but simple justice and duty
at best.
Old people are not always the fools they
are taken for. Think not that all conscious
ness OF neglect or feeling has departed
from mothers hearing with the last
child's good bye at home. Think not that,
because time has shorn her OF her spright-
illness OF former days, that all relish for the
good things Of life has departed. There
are pleasure appropriate to her years. as
keenly craved by her dear old heart as any
you feed upon. She loves the affection
ate attention of her children, as feels as
keenly every slight. She Graves. more
than erer, those frequent reunion. OF the
family circle, that as often remind her
that her devotion and self sacrifice have
not been In vain. This Is her opera. Bet
ter than bread is loves echo to her. She
is never so happy as when stasding 10 the
charmed circle-children and grand.chii
drrH. She has loved so long xSnd deeply.
that it has become to her u food and
drink. 70 be deprived of this in her lone
Illness must be as slow and painful star
walton.
As oae by one the objects of her care and
affection left the old homestead. her heart
went longingly amer them, and earnest
prayers assembled To heaven in their behalf
Aud then to see absence conquer iove-to
see prosperity beget forgetfulness-to see
cold neglect where tilAl love was most to
be looked for. Oh this it Is what increases
her wrinkles and turns her locks 10 snow !,
and sends her sorrowing TO the grave
Poor though you be. you can devote
space in memory's collections fer her dear
picture. You may give her what she will
hold more precious than gold-stiection.
And, il Xpu have been favoIe ed Of fortune,
share with her but half so literally as she
WAS wont TO do with you, and you will be
doing simple act Of justice. Selnshness
here Is an unpardonable sin.