Hopkinsville Kentuckian. [volume] (Hopkinsville, Ky.) 1889-1918, 1889-11-08
CRUEL KINDNESS.
The Natural Sequel to o Mothers
Mistaken Indulgence.

err Ellis, looking down upon the small
specimen Of humanity lying 30 help
less in the nurses arms.
Angela" said Mrs. Ellis, turning
on her pillow to gaze on the tiny feat
ures
That's as near angel as can get
It," she thought, ''and John would
pooh at me. II he knew just how ]
felt" .-
But John made no objection. for the
fifteen years OF married life which had
been childless made the stranger moro
welcome.
True, an adopted daughter claimed
their love and care, and the little blue
ey 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
to be a woman she'll make things
buzz" and, indeed. she did not lack
much OF doing so now.
Thrifty Mrs. Ellis was q model
housekeeper, and kept 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 1t that the finest
theories vanish often when brought to
the test?
III ever have children OF my own.
I'll show people how they should be
trained" many 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 80 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
1t made her appear 80 unlovely 10 the
eyes OF all others.
Nettie loved tho wilful little one,
and tried 10 teach her what she had
been SO carefully trained to perform,
but Angela soon decided
"Let those work who lore to. don't
like it,
I'm afeard you're making mis-
take. wife," Mr.. Ellis said. "Its cruel
kindness you're showing our little girl.
You don't mako her mind very we'll,
and she amt half SO forrdrd as Nettie,
was ut her age"
much you know about 1t" 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. rs suited her pleasure, and
when Nettie was declared too old to
go TO school," Angela was sent away
TO be educated.
But new element appeared in the
Ellis household, threatening Its tram
guilty. Nettie had lover. sturdy
young fellow, with only his strong
hands and true heart TO recommend
him.
''Its all nonsense. Mrs Ellis said.
1--WE can't spare Nettie. and Porter has
no home to take her to. When he
owns farm. we'lflet her CO."
But MIR. Ellis decided. "Nettie is O
good, true girl. She shall decide this
matter herself" And Nettie decided.
E"lll go and help you earn home,
Ned
The faithful Nettie must not 90 from
the rich farmers home where she had
been reared, empty handed. 30 the
great flock OF geese was robbed OF
their feathers and plump beds were
made, and chest full OF linen and
wooden sheets, spun and woven by her
own busy hands. was given Nettie, and
so many needful things. that the YER
diet OF the community, which 10 always
given In such cases. was:
1.-The Ellis have given the girl
good setting out
Meanwhile, Angela had finished her
education" us she declared. though
some said: "It's amazing how little
it takes to satisfy her In that line"
She iisliked household drudgery," as
she styled the homely duties which
filled up the lives Of most OF the peo-
pie about her, intensely.
'Netlie acts as IL she really enjoyed
herself" she said TO her father, after
u visit to her adopted sister. She has
three boys, only think OF it, and she is
proud OF them"
well she may be; cute little chaps
they arc" replied her father. land
Ned aud his wife are doing first rate"
The marriage was completed under
the happiest auspices, and the home.
life OF the young couple began. But,
alas! Angela soon learned, by many
bitter lesson. that she was unable 10
make an orderly, comfortable home
by the help OF ia careless. incompetent
girl. when she knew so little herself.
The visits OF her parents TO their
daughters home gave them the heart.
ache, and made Mrs Ellis wonder II,
after all, she had not done rs her hus-
band had often told her. shown cruel