The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1890-07-16
The Prevention Of Cruelty to Mothers.

The Prevention OF Cruelty tO motHers.
"Can you help me a few minutes,
Marion ?'
II would like to, but don't see how
Ican." The tone was not impatient,
but hurried. II have this essay to
finish for the society this evening. l
must 20 to our French history class in
all hour, then to a guild meeting, and
get back to my German lesson at five
O'clock"
mo, you can't help me, dear; you
look worn out yourself. Never mind !;
if tie up my head perhaps can I'm
ish this"
''Through at last" said Marion,
wearily, giving finishing touch to
"The DEVELOPMENT of Religious Ideas
Among the Greeks" at the same time
glancing quickly at the clock. Her
attention was arrested by strange
sight. Her tired mother had fallen
asleep over her sewing. That was not
surprising, but the startled girl saw
bending over her mothers pale face
two angels, each looking earnestly at
the sleeper.
"What made that weary look on
this woman's face?" asked the stern,
strange-looking angel of the weaker,
sadder one "has God given her no
daughters"
Eyes" replied the other, "but they
have no time to take care of their
mother"
mo time!" cried the other; what
do they do all the time I am letting
them have"
"Well," replied the Angel of Life,
"I keep their hands and hearts full.
They are affectionate daughters, much
admired for their good works, but
they do not know they are letting the
one they love the most slip from my
arms into yours. Those gray hairs
come from overwork and anxiety to
save extra money for the music and
French lessons. Those pale cheeks fa-
ded while the girls were painting
roses and pansies on velvet or satin."
The dark angel frowned.
"Young ladies must be accomplish
ed now," explained the other. '"rhose
eyes grew dim sewing for the girls to
give tnem time to study ancient histo-
ry and modern languages; those
wrinkles came because the girls had
no time to share the cares and worries
of everyday life that sigh comes be-
cause their mother feels neglected and
lonely while the girls are working for
the women of India; that tired look
comes from getting up so early While
the poor exhausted girls are trying to
sleep back the late hours they gave to
study or spent at the concert; those
feet are SO weary because of their cease
less walk around the house all day"
"Surely the girls help too"
"What they can, but their feet get
weary enough going round begging
for The charity hospital and the
church and hunting up the poor and
sick"
mo WONDER" said the Angel of
Death, $50 many mothers call me.
This is indeed sad-loving, industri-
Gus girls giving their mothers to
nv care as soon as selfish, wicked
ones"
"Ah, the hours are so crowded" !"
said Life, wearily. 'Girls who are
cultured or take an active part in life
have no time to take care Of the moth
er who spent so much time in bringing
them up"
"Then 1 must place my seal on her
brow, satd the Angel of Death, bend
ing over the sleeping woman.
"No, no." cried Marion, springing
from her seat II will take care of her
if you will only let her stay"
Daughter. you must have night
mare-wake up, dear; I fear you have
missed your history class"
Never mind, mamma, am not go
ing to-day. am rested now, and L
will make those buttouholes while you
curl up on the sofa and take a nap.
"pll send word to the guild profess
or that must he excused to-day, for
am going to see to supper myself and
make some of those mullins you
like"
But, dear, I dislike to take your
time."
"Seeing you have never given me
any time. Now, 60 to sleep, mamma
dear, as did and don't worry about
me; you are of more consequence
than all the languages or classes in the
world.n ,
So, after having been snugly tucked
in a warm Afgan, with tender kiss
from her daughter, usually too busy
for such demonstrations, she fell into a
sweet, restful sleep.
II see we might have lost the best
of mothers in our mad rush to be edu-
Gated and useful in this hurrying, rest
less day and generation, Marion So
lllouuised as she occasionally stole a
glance at the sleeping mother. After
this what time she does not need l
shall devote to outside work and
study. Until she gets well restored !
will take charge of the house and
give up all the societies except one
that IN have by myself if the other
girls won't join-a society for the pre-
f vention of cruelty to mothers"
f And Marion kept her word. A few
months later one Of the woman rights
+ class remarked to her:
, 1--WE miss your bright essays SC
, much, Miss Marion. You seem tr
: have lost all your ambition to be high
, ly educated. You are letting your Sis
] ters get ahead of you, I fear. How
young your mother looks to have
, grown daughters. I never saw bel
= looking so we'll"