Southern standard. (McMinnville, Tenn.) 1879-current, 1886-11-20
Mothers and Their Children.

There is a tendeAcy on the part of
some mothers to do so much for their
children that virtually premium is
placed upon selfshness. The child
whose every wish is anticipated, and
for whom nothing is too good, is apt
to grow up an exceedingly unpleas-
ant person, unless, indeed, there be
an extraordinary amount Of good in
him to counterbalance the undue in
diligence. Shielding children from
every chilling breath of life's air be-
gets a life of ease and selfish enjoy
ment which becomes fixed when
childhood is past. A mother, for ex-
ample, had denied herself of every
comfort. She had risen early and la
ken rest late, in order that her daugh-
tiers might havea "perfectly happy
girlhood." No duty was exacted of
them. If they minded to help they
might do SO; if not, there was no one
to ease the weary mother of her bur-
den. Small wonder is it that after
these girls grew up their sole thought
was for self. The mother was ignor-
eddy them; disrespectfully spoken of
as "old fashioned" and "without
taste" Indeed, she was only regard
ed as one who could bake and brew,
and was even "ordered'-no other
word can be used-to wait upon them
while they lolled in their easy chairs.
Never having been taught to spend
and be spent in doing good, these
young women were not the helpers of
those in need, and never carried sun
shine into darkened homes. Even
their best friends tired of them, and
their lives were unlovely and discon-
tented. There can be no happiness in
life unless the straight line of duty,
which leads to "beautie's curve" be
conscientiously followed. Let every
mother inculcate in her children's
minds that it is more blessed to give
than to receive.
The opposite of this unpleasant
picture is seen in a family of seven
daughters, reared in wealth and luxu'
ry. There was no absolute need Of
their doing any household work, as
there were man-servants and maid
servants enough to perform every du
ty. Although her first desire was tC
make her children happy, the moth
er of these girls knew there could be
no happiness without work; so each
child had her special duty and wa'
held to strict accountability for it
performance. The mother was thu
central sun around which they all re
volved; her slightest wish was thu
command of an empress, so perfect,
was it obeyed. The one thought wa
"to help to please mother" And tn
family was devoted to good works
In later years, when the older daugh
tiers had grown up, the whirligig @
time brought severe reverses-so Sc
we're that the beautiful home, replet
with all that culture and wealth coul
command, had to begiven up and
new home found among strangers
Was word of repining heard? No
although the new home was small
commonplace and without trace G
those comforts to which the famil
had been accustomed. But the girl
Immediately set to work to alter tn
dead level of disagreeableness t
make "the desert blossom as tn
rose." The united endeavor of thei
trained and willing hands, under tn
supervision of the mother, soon mad
a bower of beauty of the bare habits
ton. 1t became place Of refresl
ment to all who had the privilege (
visiting it. These girls bring SUI
shine into every place, and the desil
to help every one with whom the
come in contact is as natural to thel
as it is to breathe.