The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1878-01-16
MAKING THE CHILDREN HAPPY.
BY FAITH GRANGER.

81 always endeavor to manage so that
my children shall have no doubts in regard
to my wishes for their happiness" said Mrs.
Pearl to her neighbor, Mrs. Wealthy, whom
she was visiting.
well" was the reply, peoples ideas
differ in regard to what children need to
make thsm happy. Now my opinion is this
If my children have enough to eat and
drink dress as well as their mates, have a
home as good as their neighbors, they have
no cause to complain. L have no time 10
waste on flowers" she continued. as she
commenced basting the third ruffle on a
light print dress, preparatory to stitch
ing; ION a farm one has enough to do. What
with the care of half dozen cows, chickens
to feed, and such washings and ironings as L
have to do. Ellenl" to girl of fourteen,
who had Just entered the room with book ;
You should know better than TO borrow
that book to read this time of the year. You
can go over to Mrs. Fosters and get those
pieces for the Log Cabin quilt which she
promised me. Don't stop to play croquet,"
she added, "for we must finish that quilt on
the frames this week. As to walks and
rambling in woods, its not to be thought OF, !"
as the door closed behind her daughter;
CLOTHES wear out fast enough without ex-
ira pains, and sewing accumulates fast
enough on my hands as it is"
Perhaps Mrs. Pearl did not wonder at her
neighbours remarks as she observed the work
with which she busted herself, and knew so
well that those rutfleS must be ironed after
wearing them less than a half dozen times
but she only said: with your permission
viii relate to you how came TO change
my mind in regard to this very matter aud
you viii not be surprised that I seem willing
70 devote 90 much time for the society OF my
children.
when Walter and 1 were married. she
continued, I'VE had no great abundance;
indeed, what we consider necessaries now
would have been positive luxuries to us
then, but We loved each other truly, / think,
with a little blush, and we were very am
bilious, feeling sure that where two pairs of
willing hands worked together and carried
out the plans of two united hearts great
results would be sure to follow, and so, after
our days toll was ended, we would build
pleasant air castles and dream bright
dreams for the future. We were
blessed with prosperity but as we counted
the summers come and go, and our bank
account increased, do not remember that
our sympathies were enlarged, nor did we
obtain the comforts and luxuries so much
coveted in the earlier DAYS. Our argument
then was that we must acquire more, for Ola
of these days little Walter and Elsie will
need an education, for they were bright with
their books. All, mel we'll 90 remember
those days; how my little Elsie would coax
of nature, as well as a great mother girl.
Just come and see the little blue birds
nest down in the orchard, mamma or
'mayn't we go down to the brook and gather
maple leaves for mamma and ], , she would
say, for If mother was not along the
charms were all gone from her walks; flowers
faded, and bird notes lost half of their mu
sic Not now, Elsie / would answer
some other day. or perhaps mpatiently
Don't tease me so much when / have sc
much to do and then she would sit beside
me all the afternoon for the sake of my
silent com any. At the close of the summer
that marked her ninth year. fever broke
out in the neighborhood, aud among the frs
stricken was my darling. When in he
delirium she would speak Of vioIets pluckeC
by her hands and presented to me, and LIVED
over again our few rambles, you may CUES
of the prayers and vows uttered in silenc,
that the future should be more pleasant TO
her; but Il was not to be, for ere many day
she was laid away, with no future for nae 4
redeem for her.
The violets have blossomed on her littl
grave for many springs. but, my dear friend
have never forgotten this lesson While i
is our duty 10 train our children in the path
of usefulness and industry, we must cult
vate an intimacy with different tastes. lie
them feel our sympathy for them every day
and never count time misspent that will
bind parent and child together with bette
and purer love, though it be at the expens
of elaborate clothing, and the surety OF leay