Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-05-11
M T H E r .

| 1N1 ~ i i i IL J.
Where are you going this evening
Kate?"
"To the temperance meeting. Iprom
ised to play for the Society tonight
You won't mind, will you?'
"Be home early dear
"Yes, but don't worry if l should be
detained. Johnny will take care of me
Can you have little chocolate ready fol
me when 1 get homer
And when evening came the bright
face and cheerful voice was gone.
Everywhere but here" sighed the
weary mother,as she turned up the light,
and seated herself to her long evenings
work.
81 didn't dream of this" she mused
"when made plans, with Katie's little
baby face looking into mine. She will
be such company for me- said, when
she grows up and now 1 seem to be
nothing but convenience"
Might after night sit by myself. 1t
is either lecture, or party, or concert, or
company, when l am expected to exert
myself and wait upon her and John. 1t
is hard to be forced to admit it, but i
think my child cares for everybody but
| me.-And I cannot tell her that think
she neglectS me. If she cannot see for
herself, must suffer on" Her eyes
moistened. 'It seems to me have been
unselfsh," she said. II know L have
tried to be-"
There was knock at the door. A
neighbor came in, one of those women
who, though not generally liked, con-
trive to keep on good footing with their
neighbors through sheer force Of persis-
tence. Her name was Grace, though not
particle of that quality So often found
in the humblest of women appeared in
her speech, manners or garments.
81 was sure should find you alone,
she said. kate is out?"
Yes; she has gone to the temperance
meeting. She is very useful there"
"Hum!' said Mrs. Grace, her keen
eyes reading the pale, patient face.
Kate seems to be great favOrite eve
rywhere, but should think you'd want
her at home more. Aren't you lonesome
evenings. 1 shouldn't know what to do
without my Liza"
Kate's mother almost smiled involun-
tarily. Liza was very homely girl.
without ambition and almost without
spirit. She was Kate's senior by nearly
twenty years; yet there was something
pathetic in the care and love she showed
for her mother.
"Yes, Kate is favorite," she made
reply. Nothing in the way of amuse-
ment seems to go without her help.
want her to enjoy herself while she can
trouble always comes soon enough"
Most likely it will if she marries
Johnny Palmer" ventured Mrs. Grace.
"Why, what do you mean? What
about Johnny?" asked the woman, with
nervous interest.
20. nothing-only he neglects his moth
er as much AS
"As Kate neglects me, you would say, y
exclaimed Mrs. RaynOr, with touch of
anger. "You may be sure, Mrs. Grace,
that my child hasn't the least thought
that she is neglecting me-and she
isn't" she added, with a mothers self
abnegation. 81 can't expect her. so
so young and so full of life, housed
day and night with an old woman
like me"
"Oldr' laughed Mrs. Grace. "Why,
Kate IS seventeen, and you are only
twenty years her senior. You ought
this moment to be as youthful and fresh
looking as she is"
"Goodnessl You oldr' she went on,
when Mrs. .Raynor failed to reply. "Why,
I'm in my sixty-first year, and / can en-
joy my share of the worlds good yet.
The trouble is, you've forgotten yourself
and have made your whole life bend to
her prefences and inclinations. That's
the reason she never thinks Of your
pleasure or convenience. Kate is good
girl, I'm sure,bu people are talking, Mrs.
Raynor, especially since 10 died."
10 was Mr.. Raynor. He had been
dead now nearly three years.
what are people saying?' asked Mrs.
Raynor, her blue eyes full of lightning.
"Well, they speak of you being left
alone so much. You used to be the
life of the place"
"Iden't care about going out. It's my
own fault.
That's what reply. AT least that's
what l tell them you say. It's almost
always the best way the same old sto-
ry over and over with parents and chill
dren. You bring up your children with
painstaking and care, only to have them
lduRu db yOul Olu-loohAObO0 Wofo ou0
leave you at the first opportunity"
"Don'tp exclaimed Mrs. Raynor, in 3
panied voice, trying to keep back her
tears. 1t seemed like the echo of her
own sad words.
Meantime Kate sat at the little organ
in the brightly lighted hall. and played
and sang, and looked very handsome
and very happy. She thought she was
doing her duty, and the girl really dc
sired to do some good in the world.
She belonged to the Dorcas Society,
that met once week to sew for the
poor, and to the mite society and other
kindred associations. She taught in
Sunday school, was member of litera-
ry club, and she often said she had
scarcely moment to call her own.
A stranger was speaking. 1t was a
man fresh y caught In the temperance