The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1878-05-07
Maternal Devotion.


One Of the loyeliest and most admirable
things in nature is the devotion OF the mo-
Their to her offspring. In the economy OF
life it is grand that this care, and the re-
markable sagaciiy which directs it, should
watch over the young and protect ther, from
the ills which are continually imperilling
their lives. The principle that inspires and
maintains this maternal love is q great mys-
terry, while the 'unhagging energy, the ne
roism, that it often manifests Hills the IN
teIlisent mind With wonder. ~.
Many neopIe in Richmond were greatly
interested few days since by observing
the. conduct OF squirrel towards her
Young. She was, last year, resident upon
the SQUARE; but kind lady, by feeding her
and placing for her box in magnolia tree
before her window, had induced the pretty
net to emigratc from the Square across the
street. There she wintered and brought
forth clever family, very much to the de-
light OF her patron. They grew rapidly;
and two OF them somehow or other lett their
home and got off into the Square. The
mother, discovering their escape, and see
ing the threats of furious storm, went In
pursuit, captured them, and restored them
one at time to their box. They were half
grown, and too heavy for her, but she had
energy and determination, and after the
greatest exertion finally triumphed. She
seized each in turn By the hind-leg;
her long gnawing teeth meeting around
and clasping the limb. without tear
ing it.. Getting this hold she never re-
Taxed it until the truant was safely deposit
ed in the box. A crowd gathered in each
case and watched the progress OF the under
taking to its completion. She carried them
out of the Square across the street and up.
the tree. The young squirrel involuntarily,
as it were, caught with its claws the bark
of the tree as the mother partly pushed and
partly dragged it up. Opposed thus the
poor mother WIS forced to stop frequently
and pant as II almost exhausted. She would
then break the hold Of the feet Of the little
one, and, adroitly doubling him up, would
make rush up the tree and carry him with
a run some distance and then again pause
for rest. Finally, with her burthen, she
reached the box and thrust the runaway
into it with growl, as much as to say,
"Now, stay there you little wretch:"
The performance wasreally very interest
ing. It displayed an amount OF maternai
devotion;and heroic energy that was won
derful. What love = What ineXpresslble
anxiety-was shown in this unreasonlng
motneri What a beautiful trait In nature
it is which acts SO practically in developing
the divine economy for the protection Of
the Young! How would it be possible that
they could be protected and brought for
ward to the condition OF independence but
for the maternal devotion which is instinc-
tive in the nature OF the mother?
The achievement in each case lasted about
a quarter OF an hour. Poor thing The
mother during that time patiently tugged
and stroya with devotion and faith that
might be described as superhuman without
scandal TO man. The motive Of this little
rodent was to man inscrutable, and pro-
ceeded fEom that incomprehensible and
adorable source whence all things provi-
dental are dispensed. ss9ssi
We need net say that the event here
poorly described excited tho liveliest In
terest in the minds OF some OF the most In
telligent and graceful ladies. They felt
that 1t was a qualification that these little
citizens from the. sylvan shades,of the coun.
try should come amongst the city people
and teach this pleasant and edifyiDg lesson
OF maternal love. rs
SO was it instructive TO truant little chil.
dren, showing them what uneasiness and
trouble they cause by wandering Of, and
how they should be brought bask and put
TO bed supperiess for disobed ience, 81 s..s.
The g Gilbert elevated street raiiHay,'s's
In New yas operated lop % uesdayt ias4
whole sength. tran 1sols tas lower end Of