Oxford eagle. (Oxford, Lafayette Co., Miss.) 1876-current, 1883-10-18
NO.4e



from a Memphis paper We take
to be from the pen of Yrs. M.
A. Meriwether, who often has
something good TO say:
In this enlightened age ma-
irons are no longer leaders in
society They are pushed aside
BY the rising generation and
made to feel that they are moth.
ing but human fossils who may
be rermitted TO show signs Of
life and animation in the nursery
or Kitchen, but must resume
their normal condition III parlor
or sitting room. II is y melan.
choly but true fact that Amsri.
can society is deteriorating fast.
The tlippant young miss will
look supercillously at the lady
of mature age who has the
temerity TO assert herself and
show that she ia more intelli.
gent and attractive in society
than her more youthful compe.
titors An observer cannot fail
to notice the timid aud depre.
eating air with which some
mothers will enter their own
parlors, especially il the yonpg
ladies have company, as il they
were begging pardon for linger-
ing so long on the stage of life.
This is wrong. The mother
should be first in every house.
hold There ara thousand Of
estimable women in this broad
land who are mentally starving
for want of that appreciation,
aud encouragement that would
nerve them with strength to
bear lifs's burdens. Women
who have reached middle age
are in the tbickest Of the FIGHT.
They have not yet reached the
calm haven of old age. Thew
have to think aud plan for the
whole household; and oh, how
often when the poor brain ia
heavy and the nerves unstrung
will the depressing thought
come, "My pleasure or amuse-
ment Ia never thought of. lam
as o dead letter at such times.v
How cheeringly and consoling
would the tender ministrations
Of children and friends prove.
.mna \ 2naag nsal4a tir afAa a+ffiarfs s44fff47nr 4Hfff47ncr5r
wants are studied and admins.
tered to, while in many instanc.
es the hard working father and
mother never have an oportuni.
ty of engaging in the slightest
pleasure or relaxation. If not
openly expressed, the thought
lis tacitly acquiesced in and act.
cd on that old folks have no
need of amusement The young
lady or gentleman will come
home from their college or
academy inflated with self i'm.
portance and ready to dazzle
the father and mother with their
requirements. They have all
the ologies at their finger ends
But, softly, my young friend, do
you ever think of who it was
that gained the means to enable
you to acquire an education 7
Who plodded on, year after, in
the weary round of business
Who passed sleeplcss nights
and anxious days that you might
enjoy every advantage their
loving hearts suggested as nee
sssary to your happiness Whc
but the parells that you would
treat with such chilling in.
and speak so disre-
spectfully of as Tho old woman
aud governor You may be
able to converse tluently in more
languages than one, perform
bril- iantly on some instrument
Or even name every star in the
ornament, but you lack rever-
pnce for ycur elders, your edu-
cation is a failure. Remember
that your parents, though they
may seem II triile vulgar in your
eyes, can still teach you many
things that would be valuable
For you to know. Be not of the
rlass that would rather condone
! moral error than pardon o
slight solecism in good breed.
ng. The middle aged and OLD,
# they have not become scared
lr cynical by contact with the
world, have garnered up the
wine of life which they are ever
-eady to share with others.
While we do not wish to see our
people at all times SUBJ
ected to the espionage of o
;haperone, yet q little more
care i'll that respect would save
many heartache 1t is high
line that there be a change in
society for the better. Matrons
should take the lead, aud with
heir presence refine and keep
n check the sometimes too tur-
)ulent spirit of young people.
Reverence for the aged should
20 enforced, both by precept
md example.
M. A. NJ.