Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1885-02-19
'sTHE LITTLE MOTHER"

She was only little girl, living in
a small attic room in tall building
in the poverty stricke's portion of a
great citv. She had no particular
ability. She was not even good lo''k-
ing, but she was neat, industrious
and unselfish. She was child Of
the people. The poor little girl never
thought of herself. or of her own
comfort She was he e.utiful flower
growing in the mire, a pearl of the
purest water i'll cheap setting.
Her mother hal died early, worn out
by the ca,es and struggles of hard
life. The little daughter filed her
place. There were two smaller chill
'lren whose care, together with that
of The entire household, devolved on
little Mary, or 1.-The little mother"
as she was called ly the neighbors.
1t was her title of honor, and well did
she deserve it, for she filed a moth
ers place. And her father. What
about him. do you ask?
| He was a common workman, will
hundreds of others in large factory
no better and no worse than many
others. He was not absolutely heart
less. but he had no appreciation O.
the treasure he had in the hard-work
ing, seIf-sacrficing little creature
He was strong, gray-haired man
He had undergone much in bis strug
gle with want. Not only grinding
poverty, but strung drink, had lef
their traces in his face. Althoug
comparatively young in years he wa
an Old man, inside and outside. so L
speak. When lie married lie hope
for great things in the future, hut a
THAT had vanished as the transieI
meteor vanishes in nothingness. H
haled the rich and lie sought to drow
his troubles in drink.
Little Mary had hard time NEE
ing the daily expenses of the house
hold from tile scanty portion of he
fathers weekly wages and what st
could cara with her needle. 1t was
TASK that might have tested the c"u
age, skill and endurance of an uld'
pei sun. When her father came hon
at night and saw the neat little roor
and little Mary's tidy figure bendir
over her needle work by the dim lig
of lamp, that still voice of conscien'
troubled him. 1t told him that
should lead a better life and do mo
to brighten the daily life of the chill
for she. was nothing but child
| wears and firm. And yet 1.-THE lit
mother had her bright moment
1 such as they were. When she G
paid for her needle work, shall as t
sum was. she almost felt rich. 5
put aside rs much of the small 81
as possible. not for herself, but
1.-THE little ones," as she called
younger brothers. Moreover, I
had a canary bird. and few flowe
which were a source of great conf
j, to her.
! And so they lived on. 1t was OIL
more Saturday night. Her fatl
l. would not he llpne early. He ne
did come home early on Stature
night. fo, that was the night he W
to the tavern and spent most OF
money on drink. She leaned Gut
lthe window. There was not mucl
be seen except chimneys, attic '
dows and TIN roofs, but above
were the marvetously glorious 81
and consultations. The small {
iren were asleep in their trundle |
She was dreaming of the future,
ing perhaps that it would be brig
and happier than i.er past had b
Suddenly she started. She b.
. q door close and welI-kown foot
was on the stairs. Her father
enme home earlier than usual.