The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-03-25
MOTHER.

won L Hllnu, VIII you!
Be home early, DEAR
Eyes, but don't worry if | should be
detained Johnny will take care Of me.
Can you have a little hot chocolate ready
for me when | get homer" ~
And when evening came the bright
face and cheerful voice were gone.
Everywhere but here" sighed the
weary mother, as she turned up the
light, and seated herself to her long
evenings work. U ett 8.r
Il didn't dream of this she unused,
"when made plans, with Katie's little
baby face looking into mine. She will
be such company for me-, l said, when
she grows up;' and nowI seemto be moth
ing but convenience.
Might after night l sit by myself. 1t
is either lecture, or party, or concert, or
company, when am expected to exert
myself and wait upon her and John. 1t
is hard to be forced to admit it, but |
think my child cares for everybody but
me. And | cannot tell her that | think
she neglects me. If she cannot see for
herself, | must suffer ON Hey eyes
moistened. at seems to me have been
unselfish,' she said. Il knowI 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
persistence. Her name was Grace,
though not particle of that quality so
often found in the humblest of women
appeared in her speech, manners or gar
ments. .....-.. ...... ...
Il was sure 1 should find you alone"
she said "Kate is out?"
Eyes; she has gone to the temperance
meeting. She is very useful there"
HUMP said Mrs Grace, her keen
eyes reading the pale, patient face.
''Kate seems to be great favorite every
where, but I should think you'd want
her at home more. Aren't you lone
some evenings? / shouldn't know what
to do without my Liza" ..........
Rates mother almost smiled involun-
tarily. Liza was a 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
g Yes, think Kate is favorite,' she
made reply. Nothing in the way Of
amusement seems to go without her
help. | want her to enjoy herself while
she can; trouble always comes soon
enough -ai. ....... al. ,
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. ta. q.
80, nothing--only he neglects his
mother as much as ..,....
AS Kate neglects me, you would
say" exclaimed Mrs Raynor, with a
touch of anger F." You may be sure,
Mrs. Grace, that my child hasn't the
least thought that she is negiscting me
and she isn't" she added, with a
mothers self-abnegation. '' can't ex-
pect to keep her, so young and so full of
life, housed day and night with an old
woman like me.'' 1a vi e. sl.
"Old!'' laughed Mrs, Grace. "Why,
Kate is seventeen, and you are only
twenty years her senior, You ought this
moment to be almost as youthful and
fresh-looking as she is. tselga.
Goodness! 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 vet.
The trouble is, you've forgotten yourself
and have made your whole life bend to
her preferences and inclinations. That
the reason she never thinks of your pleas
ure or convenience. Kate is good girl,
I'm sure, but people are talking, Mrs.
Raynor, specially since 10 died." &
10 was Mr.. Raynor. He had been dead
now nearly three years. ,+a
"W What are people sayingP" asked
Mrs. Raynor, her blue eyes full of light.
ming. G'1 aN'''l ''f
'SWell, they speak of your being left
alone so much. You used to be the life
of the place" d, .eaq5 S.. t.....
II don't care about going out. It's my
own FAULT PUT
That's what reply. At least that's
what l tell them. you say. It's almost
always the way; the same old story ovel
and overwith parents and children. Yor
bring up your children with painstakina
and care, only to have them laugh a
your old-fashioned ways and leave you
with hardly regret, on the first oppor
tunity."h -iiuT sa
"Don'tr' exclaimed Mrs. Raynor, il
panied voice, trying to keep back hel
tears. 1t seemed like the echo of hel
own sad words. - r-,s N
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 wa
doing her duty, and the girl. really de
sired to do some good in the world.
She belonged to the Dorcas Society
that met once aweek to sew for the poor
and to the Mite Society and other kindred
associations. She taught in Sunda,
school, was member Of literary club
and she'often said she had scarcely
moment to call her own.
A stranger was speaking. twas amal