The Arkansaw traveler., 1886-01-09
WEARING HER LlFK AWAY.

There Is nothing sadder looking than the over-wosked woman who ls a slave to her children. For her there is no ssas. At midnight, at nooa and at evening ahe Is tn relentless demand. Her spirit h broken, and with voice stirring h im tones of resignation, she speaks Of her hardships. A neighbor visits her. Tha visitor Is shown into room devastatea by recent romp and not
 "No, never go any place. am 60 tired that-Edgar, don't saw that chair, dear. He's not very we'll to-day. He didn't sleep but little last nigh,. Louis, don't climb on the table. Thsret"
 The table falls over with bang and Louis sets up a howl. There, now," says she, as she smoo,hs back his hair and kisses his forehead, "it won't hur long, dear. Mammals got something nice for you yes, she has"
 "Somethin' for me, tooT Edgar yells.
 "Yes, something for both of you. Run along, nov, Louis, and see what little sister Is doing"
 "Don't want to see."
 We'll, run along ou. and play run along, that's A good boy"
 "Dont want to-"
 Please go, now, like a good boy. You run along, Edgar, and he'll follow you"
 "No, he wonr," says Edgar as hs lin. gers tn the doorway. "Now don't you see he won't 9''
 "Well, both of you run along iiks---" A distressing cry arises. The woman rushes out and returns bearing a little girl in her arms.
 "Did mammals little darling hurt her self2 Yes, she did. Now don't cry. The lady will laugh at you"
 "t don't care if she does"
 "Oh, shame on you to talk that way. Nobody will love you if you talk thas way"
 Don't want anybody to love me-"
 "Theye, dear, run along and mamma will let you go dswn town with her whsa she goes."
 "Me. tooT yell Edgar and Louis.
 "Yes, you may all go."
 Are you goin' righ. nowT Edgar asks.
 "No, no, now"
 "When {"
 "After awhile"
 "oh. that's what you always say"
 
 She sits by the bedside. She has just placed a wet clsth on . lluie fsverish head. The house Is silent The other children have gone over to stay as . neighbors house. She signs and then, unable longer to restrain her feelings, she buries her face in the bed clothes and bursts into tears.
 Neighbors gather around her. Thsy teil her that God knows best. She hears the minister repeat the divine words: Suffer little children to come unto me-"
 
 Years pass. A man who has just as. rived in town, in the town where he was born, goes to the cemetery. He stands with uncovered head near sunksn grave. The green growth of years covers the stone, but he reads the name of his mother. He knows tha. he helped to wear her life away. How often hs had pained that dear heart which is nov duss beneath his feet. He feels that his mother is looking down upon him knows :k:. hes seal is as sess. He tasns away and meets a woman and several children.
 @Tommy, you must not throw stoass. Come here. Andrew, snd lst me wipe your nose. Miiiie, what is the mstfsss dear Fell dovnS We'll, dost csy, dsss, is won't hurt long. Asdrsw, take thae shsil out sf yosE mouth. Nov, look aE you, got yosr clothes sn disty. coms on, nov, and les's % home"
 "Yoa promised to stay long an4v" one ol the children pstuiandy says.
 "Wsil, hassn't we staid iosg dms1~ No, we haven't"
 Please Ies us % home. Poor mamma l. Q tired"
 No, you ais't" N "Yes, am"
 "Coms on, an' Let's 70 dcwn heee." Thsy drag her aIonG. The man keeEs her agh. He kDows that the childson ass wsasisg h9 D6s away.