Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1881-08-11


outwardly calm, and could talk of he,
loss and her intentions, with even
tones and quiet air.
After arranging with him to dispose
Of her COW and chickens, she took the
cars to the next town, and begin te
search for employment.
Mamma was visiting friends in that
town at the time. Mamma is one who
usually follows the leadings Of her
own instincts, and always regrets
when she fails to do so. She was in
Mrs. Ludlow's sitting room when Mrs.
Alpen applied for position as gener.
al assistant, asked only for kind treat
ment and small wages.
Mrs Ludlow had no place for her,
but mamma felt assured that here
was a treasure for some one. and
forthwith proposed that if Mrs. Al
pen would 60 with her to her home,
two days journey by rail, she would
give her suitable employment at fair
wages.
Mamma shortened her visit in Or
der to bring Aunty AIpen home. She
has remained mamma's most valuable
helper ever since.
For years we knew nothing Of her
personal history beyond the fact that
she had married children settled in
distant places, from whom, at long
and Irregular intervals, she received
letters.
One day it chanced that, as nam
ma red paragraph from newspa-
per, she smiled and called Aunty AL.
pen attention to it.
1t is your name. said mamma.-
'Rowena Alpen. l wish it were
your land also. 1t would make you
independent indeed
1T is my land said Mrs. Alpen
quietly, But am independent with
out It.
And she burst into tears and sank
into a chair at mamma 8 side. We
left them alone--mamma and our
poor friend in her grief
1t was then that she conhed to
mamma her story that she sal l was
too pitifully sorrowful to be told.
She had been with US seven years,
and all these years never once had
her daughters invited her to their
homes. They had been glad she had
employment and was satisfied with
her position They had even asked
her if it was convenient to have a
visit f.om one or more of the children
in their summer vacations. But they
had never expressed any regret at the
separation, or any desire to have her
become member Of their famlli IS.
Until now.
The lot on which her home had
stood had suddenly be come valuable
A coal-veln ran beneath it. The mine
was working. The owners Of the shalt
wished to purchase, and offered a
price that astonished those who knew
nothing of the real value. Both
daughters at once rememb bered their
tilial obligations, and at once each
offered home with her own family.
God pity me if | am unlike what
mother should be, she SAID, Il low
ed my children only for loves sake.
| hoped that thus my children would
love me. Love, love was all ] asked
or craved. Land cannct buy love
nor happiness. All that | have is
theirs. They shall have no tempta
ton to become impatient for theii
mother death will give them all
now.-For myself, when can NJ
! longer work. there remains the poor
house, ! will 90 thither.
Is her story too strangely sad t.
ha. been told2 | know of otheI
mothers no less keenly stung by tha
Sharper than serpent's tooth, fila
ingratitn1e and neglect. | have bu
lately been The confident of a tale al
strangely sad from gray-haire'
mother of children in far higher socia
scale than Annty Alpens yet not on'
whit above hem in filial duty.
know of another mother this hour
suubbed, gru'ged her attic raom ant
her poor bite and sup, and forced t.
do ber own laundry work in he
daughters house, whore rooms ant
food, and servants are plenty.