The Grenada gazette. (Grenada, Miss.) 1885-18??, 1889-09-27
CRUEL KINDNESS.
Tho Natural Sequel to Mothers
Mistaken Indulgence.

What shall we call her?' said Farm
er Ellis. looking down upon the small
specimen of humanity lying so help
less in the nurses arms.
''Angela,n said Mrs Ellis, turning
on her pillow to gaze on the tiny feat
urf1s.
That's as near angel as can get
it, she thought. land John would
pooh at me, if he knew just how |
felt"
But John made no objection, for the
1iftoen years of married life which had
been childess made the stranger more
welcome.
True, an adopted daughter claimed
their love and care, and the little blue
cy ed maiden, who stood rapturously
gazing at the infant, deserved all that
she received.
"Nettie Ellis is the smartest girl in
town." was the verdict of more than
one rustic admirer. When she gets
10 be woman she'll make things
buzz" and, indeed, she did not lack
much of doing So now.
Thrifty Mrs. Ellis was a model
h0usclicopor and kopt no girl. Thus
early, Nettie had been initiated into
the mysteries of butter and cheese
making; and in dish-washing, sweep
ing and busting. she went far beyond
all the little girls of her acquaintance.
She was the same busy little maiden in
school, for the "winter term" was all
she enjoyed, and her teachers echoed
the verdict of the townspeople. And
now little sister had come to share
her pleasures and her work, for often
she had heard Mrs. Ellis say:
Its my bounded duty to teach my
girls to do every thing can do my
SELF" and in Nettie's case, surely, she
had not failed. Why is it that the finest
theories vanish often when brought to
the test?
'lf ever have children OF my own,
I'll show people how they should be
trained" many a model school teacher
has declared. Alas! the boast soon
ceases when the trial comes.
So, as the rosy-cheeked Angela grew
rapidly out OF long clothes, and went
pattering about the farmhouse, the
mother was so taken up with adoring
her angel that the old theories were
forgotten. Angela developed sturdy
will of her own, and 'she must not be
crossed" the mother decided, though
it made her appear so unlovely in the
eyes of all others.
Nettie loved the wilful little one,
and tried to teach her what she had
been so carefully trained to perform,
but Angela soon decided
Let those work who loue to. don't
like it
I'm afeard you're making a mis-
take, wife," Mr.. Ellis said. Its cruel
kindness you're showing our little girl.
You don't make her mind very well,
and she amt half so forrard Us Nettie
was at her age"
Much you know about IT," said Mrs.
Ellis, angrily. She's all we've got.
and | don't mean she shall work as I've
always done"
The child had learned to obey her
father, but as he never interfered in
household affairs the mischief went
on. AT school the wilful girl studied
or not, as suited her pleasure. and
when Nettie was declared "too old to
go to school," Angela was sent away
to be educated.
But a new element appeared in the
Ellis household, threatening it's tran
guilty. Nettie had lover, a sturdy
young fellow, with only his strong
hands and true heart TO recommend
him.
ats all nonsense" Mrs Ellis said,
tive can't spare Nettie, and Porter has
no home to take her to. When he
owns farm. we'll let her 60"
But Mr.. Ellis decided. "Nettie is q
good, true girl. She shall decide this
matter herself" And Nettie decided.
I'm go and help you earn a homo,
Ned"
The faithful Nettie must not 60 from
the rich farmers home where she had
been reared. empty handed. SO the
great flock OF geese was robbed OF
their feathers. and plump beds were
made. and chest full OF liner ana
woolen sheets, spun and woven BY her
own busy hands, was given Nettie, and
so many needful things, that the ver-
dict Of the community, which is always
given In such cases, was:
"rhe Ellis have given the girl a
good setting out
Meanwhile, Angela had finished her