The Indianapolis leader., 1881-08-20
and could talk of her loss and her inten-
tions. with even tones and quiet air.

and could talk of her loss and her inten
tions, with even tones and quiet air.
After arranging with him to dispose o
her cow and chickens, she took the cars t,
the next town, and began to search for en-
ployment.
Mamma was visiting friends in that town
at the time. Mamma is cne who usually
follows the leadings of her own instinct, and
always regrets when she fails to do so. She
was in Mrs. Ludlow's sitting room
when Mrs. Alpen applied for position
as general assistant, asking only for kind
treatment and small wages
| Mrs. Ludlow had no place for her, but
mamma felt assured that here was treasure
for some one, and forthwith proposed that if
Mrs. Alpen would go with her to her home,
two days journey by rail, she would give
her suitable employment at fair wages.
Mamma shortened her visit in order to
| bring Aunty Alpen home. She has re-
manned mammals most valuable helper ever
since.
For years we knew nothing of her per-
sonal 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 mamma read
paragraph from a newspaper, she smiled
and called Aunty Alpen's attention to it.
at is your name," said mamma
''Rowena Alpen. wish it were your land
also. 1t would make you Independent In
deed
1T is my land" said Mrs. Alpen, quietly
''BJt l am independent without it."
And she burst into tears and sank into
chair at mammals side. We left them alone
mamma and our poor friend in her grief.
1t was then that she confided to mamma
her story that she said was to pitifully sor-
rowful to be told
She had been with us seven years. In all
these years never once had her daughters in.
vited 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 visit from one
or more of the children in their summer va
cations. But they had never expressed any
regret at the separation, or any desire to
have her become . member of their
families. Until now.
The lot on which her home had stood had
suddenly become valuable. A coal-vein ran
beneath it. The mine was working. The
owners of the shaft wished to purchase, and
offered price that astonished those who
knew nothing of the real values. Both
daughters at once remembered their filial
obligations and at once each offered home
with her own family.
"God pity me if am unlike what mother
should be-" she said 81 loved nv children
only for loves sake. hoped that thus my
children would love me. Love, love was all
l asked or craved. Land can not buy love
nor happiness. All that l have is theirs.
They shall have no temptation to become
impatient for their mothers death. will
give them all now. For myself, when can
no longer work, there remains the Poor
House. / will go thither."
Is her story too strangely sad to have
been told? / know of other mothers no
less keenly stung by that s.sharper than a
serpent's TOOTH" filial ingratitude and neg
lect.
/ have but lately been the confident of a |
tale as strangely sad from a gray haired |
mother of children in a far higher social scale |
shan Aunty Alpen's, yet not one whit above
them in 6lial duty. / know of another |
mother this hour, snubbed, grudged her an
.ic room and her poor bite and sup, and |
forced to do her own laundry worlOin her |
daughters house, where rooms, and food,
and servants are plenty.
WHY do / tell of such shames2
Why, indeed, unless in the hope that |
some who have eyes to see may see, and
who have ears to hear may hear and under
tand? For these stung hearts of sorrowing |
mothers are remembered by One who in the
lay of His power is mighty to avenge