The central Presbyterian. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1856-1908, 1881-10-12
The Awkward Child.

The Awkward Child.
BY MRS. MARGARET E. SANGsTER.
DO turn out your toes, Maria" said
Mrs. Ames, as Maria, her eleven-year-
old daughter, came in from school, a
great pile of books in her hand and a
tired look on her face. And do try to
stand up straight and keep your should
ers back. Why can you not move and
walk like other girlsT'
The child's countenance' took on a
sullen expression, but she made no reply.
Seating herself at the window she began
to prepare her lessons for the ensuing
day Aunt Phebe, a benevolent old lady
who was aunt to every one In the neigh
borhood, observed this. and said:
Maria, dear, do you need to study
to-morrow's lesson Immediately Can
you not be outdoors awhile, on this love-
ly afternoon?"
al do take walk about dusk" Maria
answered pleasantly; indeed everybody
answered Aunt, Phebe pleasantly, for
good nature has winning way of its
own. but cannot afford to lose any
of the light, and the days are growing SO
short"
Aunt Phebe said no more. Sixty years
experience had taught her the lesson
which some OF US are so very slow to
learn, that nothing is so entirely wasted
as unnecessary talk, advice and admoni-
ton. But she thought a good deal,
though she was silent, and once or twice
as Mrs. Ames said, querulously, do,
Maria, keep your. feet still Maria, can
not endure such clumsiness you must as
sumo more lady-like position" etc
a panied expression crossed her placid
countenance. When at last the books
were closed, and the little girl, for whom
a companion had called, had departed to
take her daily twilight exercise on the
block and around the corner, the dear old
lady ventured on word of reproof to the
mother.
Elizabeth, you will pardon me, but
I fear you are making Maria unhappy;
and she is very attractive childr'
Attractive, Aunt Phebe How can
you say so? You see for yourself how
big and ungainly she is growing and she
never knows what to do with her hands
and feet. If were her stepmother peo-
pie would say that was why I was so
clear-sighted to her defects, but she is
my own child, and very great trial she
is to me. love her, but she mortifes
me-"
"She is obedient, truthful, and faith
full to her duties, is she not? ?"
"Ohl yes, but then, Aunt Phebe, her
disposition is SO sullen. She pouts when
L find fault with her, and that puts me
quite out of patience"
Well, dear, if you would find fault
less frequently, and only in private,
you might not have the sullenness to com
plain of. A sensitive nature cannot
bear to be blamed in the presence of 9TH
ers. Another thing you must remember
your daughter is growing very rapidly
and some of her attitudes and ANGULAR
ties and her awkward changes of position
must be set to that account. Nature
suggests these movements, as easeful and
reposing. Seriously, 1 would be more
careful, if | were in your place, about
wounding her by too constant criticism
AS she emerges from the chrysalis OF
her awkwardness many things will ar
range themselves and many little ungrace-
full habits will drop away. Do not let
Maria have the memory of an unhappy
childhood"
Are not many who have laid upon
them the responsibility Of caring for
young people making the mistake Of
Mrs. Ames? In their anxiety to do the
very best thing for their children, and
have them excel in everything which is
desirable, they keep up an incessant
monotony Of depreciation and reproach.
Meanwhile the boys and girls burdened
with multiplied tasks, soul and body
receptive together and both developing
every day, are perhaps petulant and frac-
tious, as they will not be in few years
when the forces of their being are more
harmoniously adjusted. Perhaps they
lack grace of movement and ease of man
ner. They are quite probably conceited
and vain, or, it may be, touchy and sullen
Be patient and watchful, and always
tenderly loving, dear mothers, and your
reward will come by-and-by when the
husks Of the present hour fall away from
the ripening fruit Chris. InteJigencer.