The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1888-03-21
Their Mother Ruined Them.

Their Mother Ruined Them.
But, land of love, Miss Percy, didn't
they have the same home training
Didn't they have the same sweet mo-
ther and upright, manly father?
Weren't they surrounded by the same
good infiuences7 Didn't they have
the same Cody example? I,don't see
why the Newell boys all turned, out
such worthless fellows, while the girls
grew into noble women. There's Lucy
now-our minister's wife cultivated,
sweet tempered, and benevolent.
Who ever saw lovelier lady than
Alice? And Harriet is all that could
be desired. Idon't understand 1t, Miss
Percy; I declare I don't. We all
know Bob and Frank Newell are idle
and worthless. How is it?" .
''Stop minute, Mrs. Harrison" re-
sponded Miss Percy; 'sdid they have
the same training? know they were
brought up under the same roof, but
they were brought up very differently,
assure you. Bob and Frank Newell
were good enough to begin with, but
their doting mother has ruined them.
Why, Mrs. Harrison, those boys used
to come into The house and throw
their caps and jackets on the floor, for
their mothers or sisters to pick up and
put away.
"The mother, you know, was weak,
good-natured woman, who worshiped
her husband and sons, and was con-
tent to slave and pick up for them, be-
lieving it was all unsel6sh devotion.
But the girls rebelled-poor things.
No wonder? Then Mrs. Newell would
say: why, Alicep or why, Lucy!
Pm surprised at you. Won't sou do
that much for your dear brothers? I'm
sure it's mere trihe for them to ask
of YOU And poor Lucy or Alice
would 60 back and wait on the boys.
thinking they must be selfish things
to grudge this constant service.
"When Harriet was a little thing,
Mr.. Newell died, leaving his large for
tune to his wife. They were living in
New York then. and Lucy and Alice
were young ladies, beginning to enjoy
life in large city. Bob and Frank
were not engaged in any business {;
they couldn't make money it seemed,
though they could spend it fast
enoug.
"First they tried manufacturing
cloth. They rented q mill and hired .
superintendent. Then they paid brief
daily visits to their Office from ten till
two. The superintendent had entire
control of them and the business. and
he managed both to his own, profit.
When manufacturing failed, the boys
tried one thing after another, until,
finally, they determined to try farm
ing.
"Their weak, fond mother, Whose
faith in her boys seemed to increase
with their increasing heIplessness,
sold her house in New York, and came
to this remote village to live. Harriet
was child then-to be educated.
Lucy and Alice were enjoying the
pleasures and advantages of New
York but they were not to be consid-
cred for amoment. Education, pleas
ure, and friendship must be broken
off; expenses must be cut down to the
lowest penny,-all to help those prs.
cious spendthrift boys, who had yet to
make their first sacrifice, for either
mother or sisters.
"They bought old Lemuel Whites
farm, the best place for miles and
miles. But it was the old story; no.
body about the place knew anything
but themselves, nobody's advice would
they take, and everything about the
farm was expected to look after itself.
They bought all the patent reapers
and mowers advertised in the county
papers but when the time came to
use them, Bob wanted to 90 to q fair,
end Frank couldn't find theday book.
When the neighboring farmers were
planting corn, it was discovered that
the new patent corn-drill was out of
order, or wouldn't work. Everything
about the place went down, except the
debts, which rose higher and higher.
Bob and Frank cursed their luck and
took to drinking the farm had to be
sold at last, and poor Mrs. Newell
woke up one morning to find herself
homeless.
"Lucy and Alice went to New York
and found employment through for
mer friends of their father. For five
years they supported their mother {;
then Lucy married, and soon after Al
| ice. Mrs. Newell makes her home
with Alice, you know, and Harriet sup
ports herself. The boys, for whom
every ono else was sacrificed, can bare
ly earn living, and are poor, shiftiess
creatures, who will never rise.
II tell you, Mrs. Harrison, 1t was
the difference in their training which
made the Newell boys and girls differ.
The girls were taught to be uf1selfish,
thoug ghtful, and considerate. The boys
were trained to regard their sisters and
mother as servants and themselves az
superior beings, to whose comfort sv-
erything must be subservient. Natur-
ally they grew up thinking their ease
of more Importance than the rights Of
other people. Their mother ruined
Them"
"Well," said Mrs. Harrison, rising
slowly, II shall make my Jack hang
up his cap and jacket when I 60
hOme."