Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1882-03-04
MOTHER.
by MARY A. DENNIsoN.


Where are You going this evening,
Kate ?"
'To the temperance meeting.
promised to play for the Society to-
night. You won't mind, will you?"
"Be home early, dear"
eyes, but don't worry if I should be
detained. johnny will take care of me
Can You have a little hot chocolate
ready for me when get home? %
And when evening came the bright
face and cheerful voice were gone.
Everywhere but here, sighed the
weary mother, as she turned mp the
light, and seated herself to her long
evenings work.
81 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, said, when
she grows up and now | seem to be
nothing but convenience.
Night after night | sit by myself.
1t is either lecture, or party, or concert,
or company, when / am expected to ex-
ert myself and wait upon her and John.
1t Is hard to be forced to admit it, but
think my child cares for every body
but me. And l cannot tell her that l
think she peglects me. If she cannot
see for herself, must suffer on" Her
eyes mOistened. cit seems TO me |
have been unselfish, she said. 81
know have tlied TO be. J."
There was a knock at the door. A
neighbor came in, one Of those women
who, though not generally liked, con
trive 10 keep on a good footing with
their neighbors through sheer force of
persistence. Her name was Grace,
though not a 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 p
g Yes; she has gone TO the temper
ance- meeting. She Is very useful there -
"Hum" said Mrs. Grace, her keen
eyes reading the pale, patient face
Kate seems 10 be n great favorite
everywhere, but I should think you'd
want her at home more. Aren't you
! lonesome evenings? | shouldn't know
what 70 do without my Liza.
Kate's mother almost smiled involun.
tally, Liza was very homely girl,
without ambition ana 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, think Kate is favorite, she
made reply. Nothing in the way OF
amusement seems to go on without hen
help. l 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" ashed the woman, with
nervous interest.
"Oh, nothing only he neglects his
mother as much as'-
"As Kete neelects nae. you wonld
say" exclaimed Mrs. Raynor, with q
touch OF anger. you may be sure,
Mira. Grace, that my child hasn't the
least thought that she is neglectiDg mt
and she isn't" she added, With a moth
er's self abnegation. Il can't expect t
keep her, so young aud 50 full OF life
housed day and night with an old woman
like me"
"O,dr' laughed Mrs Grace. "Why
Kate is seventeen, and yen are only
twenty years her senior. You ough
this moment to be almost as youthful
and fresh-lookiug as sic is
"Goodness ! You cid % che went on
when Mrs. Raynor failed 90 reply
"Why, I'm in my sixty. first year, anC
l can enjoy my share of the world
good yet The trouble Is, you've forgot
ten yourself, and have made your whole
life bend to her preferences and inclina
tions. That is the reason she never think
of your pleasure or convenience. Kat,
is a good girl, I'm sure, but people are
talking, Mrs. Raynor, specially since j.
died.
10 was Mr.. Raynor. He had beer
dead row nearly three years.
"What are people saying ?" asked
Mrs. Raynor, her blue eyes full of light
ming
"WelI, they speak of your being lef
alc"e so much. You used to be The lif
ace"