Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1879-11-19
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T,r.>d Mothers victsry'

parents reeollectio.. 'n a''e' -.
with thrill of gratitude whereas '.s
memory of hasty severity TO '''' o"e.
must bring pang. This tender '''i, !,
of a mothers experience, Published "
the Christian Weekly is a beaut'inl
lesson in itself. The mother had LAID
her table with great care and pains, tss
a company Of distinguished guests, when
her little girl accidently overturned
tureen ofgravy on her snowy cloth.
What should l do! 1t seemed a drop
too much for my tired neryes-many
drops too much for my tabie-cloth,
was about to jerk my child down angriiy
from the table when blessed influence
held me.
caught the expression on her lace;
such sorry, frightened, appealing look
| never saw, aud suddenly a picture OF
the past came and stood out wildly be-
fore my minds eye. My chlld's face
revealed feelings which I had experience
ed twenty years before.
saw myselfa nervous girl, about
eight years old, in the happy home oil
my childhood. 1t was stormy after
aoon in winter. 1t was when coal Oil
lamps were FIRST introduced, and father
had bought very handsome one.
The snow had drifted up against the
kitchen windows, so, although 1t was
not night, the lamp was lighted
Mother was sick IN bed, upstairs, aud
we children were gathered in the kitchen
to keep the noise and confusion away
from her.
I was feeling very important helping
to get supper at any rate [ imagined
1 was helping, and in my oftciousness'
I seized that lamp and went down
cellar for some butter. I tried to set
it on the hanging shelf. but, alas'
didn't give it room enough, aud down
It fell on the cemented floor.
Inever shall forget the shock that it
gave me. Seemed almost paralyzed.-
/ didn't dare to 90 upstairs. aud was
afraid to stay down there, and, 70 make
il worse. I heard my fathers Voice in
the kitchen. He had cautioned US all
again aud again, to be careful OF that
lamp, and now there 1t lay smashed TO
piecesl
Bui his voice seemed to give me the
impetus needed to go up aud meet the
scolding, or whipping, Or both, which
felt sure awaited me. aud which | really
felt 1 deserved. So 1 crept up over the
dark stairway, aud as entered the
kitchen. met father with such stern
look upon his face that was frightened
saw there was no need to tell hIn
what had happened. He had heard the
crash, and if he didn't, guess my face
would have told the story. The chl'
dren stood silently around, waiting TO
see what father would do, and saw
by their faces that they were horror
struck, for that lamp had been the su6-
iect OF too much talk aud wonder to be
smashed without a sensation.
As for me, felt so frightened. SO
confused aud sorry that l could not
sneak. But upon glancing again at
father, I saw the anyy look die out Of
b,s ewes, aud one Of the teaderest
pity take its place. o.
doubt not that he saw the same look
in nv face thai l saw in my chlla' o
face to-day. Ia minute he had lifted
me 10 his arms, aud was hugging me
to his breast. Then he whispered, or,
so kindly Never mind, little dau2f-
Il
for we all know twas an accident, bat
hone YOU will take small lamp when
YOU 90 down cellar again."
I Oh. what a revolution Of feelings l
experienced! 1t was such surprise %
me that 1 was suddenly overwhelmed
with feelings of love and gratitude, ane
burying my face, 1 soobed as II ny
heart were breaking. No punishment
could have affected me half so much
and nothing can effected the memory o'
, it from my mind.
How loved my father to-day as u
sight of my own little gTl's face srough
, il all so freshly before me.
Will she love nae as dearly, wsnde
:: twenty years or more from now' be
cause, moved by the same God-g'Fet
impulse that stirred my fathers heart
!, in that long ago time, l was able
press the little frightened thing to m
heart. aud tell her kindly that kne'
she didn't mean 10 spill the gravy, an
}, that | knew she would be moro careit
another time9 Will she be helped oy
when she is mother as have eeei
!. helped to day ?-Nethodia Prote STAN