The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1885-08-15
VOLUME XVI.
love even to one who despitefully uses
and persecutes her?

love tNtn W UUt WIN ucsPittihiiJ Noco
and persecutes her?
Now comes the Christmas and fairy
story books, with their gaily-colored
pictures, to confirm what all the world
says about step-motheIs These stories
and illustrations are OF al grades, from
that of the step-mother who clothes her
self and her own daughters in purple
and fine linen and fares sumptuously
every day, while the little step-child
occupies a sort OF Cinderella's place in
the household, to that browning atroci-
ty of step-mother. who murdered
her little step-son and set his heart,
nicely cooked and placed 10 daintily
covered dish, before his own father!
Credulity is the leading trait of early
youth. To the child, printed books and
painted pictures never lie. This child
fairly groans under the weight OF so
much cumulative evidence against step
mothers, and learns to doubt at an age
whose supreme happiness is unquestion-
ing faith; to hate when the most beau
tiful privilege of the human heart is to
love.
This poisoning Of the very sources Of
the child's love and trust must needs
react upon the step-mother. The no.
blest woman is still human. The Do
naides of the old Greek myth, doomed
through all eternity to attempt to fill a
bottomless cask with water, were as
signed no more hopeless task than that
of the unloved step-mother.
The strongest sense of duty, the most
unselfish magnanin1ity, are likely. IN
the long run, to succumb to ingratitude.
To give out love, the heart must receive
love. The stream not replenished
from living fountain soon runs dry.
The kindest and most affectionate nature
grows unsympathetic if it meet only in.
, difference, and sighted affection
often changes into dislike and even
hatred.
The wicked step-mothers of the story.
books and of the popular imagination
have now and then found their counter.
part in real life, but in only exceptional
cases. The care Of children, even il
not ones own, tends to call out the
best, rather than the worst, traits Of
womanly character.
Many woman, in taking upon her
self the office of step-mother, seeks tc
kindle on the altar of deserted temple
the holy flame of new affection ant
reverence. She sets for herself the higf
task of re-creating domestic hearth 1t
the midst of loneliness and desolation
of being true mother to children whit
have suffered that supreme earth |,
affliction. the loss Of an own mother.
She gives to this work the best years
the best energies Of her life. only to fint
the result estrangement, perhap
hatred This state Of things. deplorabl,
as it is for her, is nnutterably more s,
for the step-children, who are nov
forming characters for life, who must il
after years look back upon childhoo,
which should have been to them q
moment of God" as to period of un
rest, discomfort and bitterness Silent
intangible influences have been at worl
undermining the happiness of the HON
which might have been an Eden, bu
which has become desert.
Who is to blame for all this? TIL
common verdict of society, constituting
Itself both Judge and jury, would con
denim the step-mother, while the fathe
and the step-children would be pre-
nounced innocent In the step-mothe
all family sins find convenient scape
goat. We contend that while all thes
three parties may be at fault, tn
burden of guilt rests with outside pee
pie, with those influences of which W
have spoken which come from withou
the home.
Let the woman who is not prepare
to steel her heart against the steady as
sault of outside enemies. who is not con
fident of her power to conquer by low
and good works the foes that may arts
, in that new household, remain far fror
the home where bereaved husband bt
, walls his loneliness, and where chi
!, dren, every one, most likely, an angel
being in his love-blinded eyes, await
r step-mOther
r If she feels within herself the spirit
| both hero and martyr, she may ventul
S to assume this cross, hoping for tn
r crown that in the end awaits faithfl
endeavor and pious sacrifice. 1t ma
! be given to her to perform that mirac
| possible but to few step-mothers-t
i win the entire love and confidence
!. the children confided to her care.
o When she, too. lies beneath the so,
/, they may cherish her memory as that OF
/, ministering angel who came to them
. life's sorest need and desolation to r
o place the angel they had lost Ar
: when light lips profane the name
n step-mother, these step-children, blu
dened yet with an unpaid debt of affe
q ton and gratitude, may attest that ne
! to the name of own mother it is Il
e most sacred word on earth.-Frdnt
i a. Shaw, in Chicago Interior.