The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-04-21
A STEPMoTHER's JOURNAL

| is drawing very near. This morning as
Helen was fastening some flowers in my
hair, she said to me, in her sweet, Win
ming way Louise, dear, | hope you
will never regret the step that you have
taken. But do you not sometimes dread
the thought of becoming stepmother to
those children-the one Is and the other
5-whom you have never seen? A step
mothers lot, you know, people say is SO
hard"
Helen" replied, when promised
Norman Garrnger that would become
his wife. did so fully realizing, | hope
the responsibilities which such a step in
volved. and have never yet seen the mo-
ment when would have retracted that
promise. God helping me, | shall be to
him a faithful wife and conscientious
mother to his children. Therefore have
no fears for the future
Indeed, hope that you will lie very
happy" was her reply, and then, in the
words Of an old song, she added gayly:
50 BE but as happy as wish,
And you'll be blessed indeed"
And knew the wish was sincere, for it
came from the depths of warm, loving
heart.
WOODLANDS, Sept. Sth-The eventful
day has come and gone, and am in my
new home 1t is very charming here but
Norman tells me that when the woods
around are in their full Autumn dress,
as they will be soon, it is more lovely
still.
This is fine old mansion, and find
the household arrangements very com
plete. Mrs. Willis, the housekeeper, has
been here several years, and seems to
thoroughly understand her business. Her
services will relieve me of Il great deal of
care, and leave me time to attend to
other duties. When arrived she gave
me true mOtherly welcome, but the two
children, Gertrude and Willie. met me
in the hall with cold. avelted faces and
when | approached them with a kindly
greeting Gertrude shrank back without
offering her hand, while Willie shouted
out:
$50 away, naughty woman. We
don t want you here. Go away, | say :"
stamping his little foot to give emphasis
to his words.
Shocked and bewildered, | retreated to
the sofa from which had al isen, while
the children ran out at the door to meet
their father.
1T is all the work of Betty, their
nurse" Mrs. Willis said to me when the
children had vanished "but time and
patience will work wonders with them
They are naturally warmhearted, loving
children, hut they need "A firm hand to
guide them, for they have been sadly
neglected.
1t was, however, painful moment to
me, and could hardly repress my feel
ings, but conquered them sufficiently
to be able to appear cheerful when Mrs.
Willis summoned us to tea.
Oct. 1st-During the past week | have
received Il number OF calls from the
neighboring people. Some came, as |
could plainly see, from cold curiosity,
while others showed a sincere regard for
my welfare, and hoped We should be
very neighborly To such | shall be very
glad to be friend and neighbor, although
not confidant | could never confide
my personal or household affairs to any
one believing it to be a bad practice.
Many a young married woman has wreck
ed her own happiness, and destroyed her
husbands peace of mind by maxim. con-
fidants of those whom she thought were
friends.
1t seems strange to me, as | recall it,
but have noticed of late that several Of
our visitors, as they sat conversing, have
instinctively glanced up to a certain place
on the parlor wall now covered with
large chrome, and to-day Mrs. Stebbns,
having looked long and earnestly at that
particular spot fixed her black eyes up
on me with such an inquisitive, curious
gaze tla5 she made me feel very nervous
and uncomfortable throughout the re-
mainder of her visit. | will examine
the wall to morrow to see if there is any
defect there which the pictures hides.
My life here is very calm and peaceful.
Norman is the kindest and best of hus-
bands, and were it not for the children