Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1890-10-03
A Word to Mothers.

off duty the enemy-temptation-is
too close at hand even within the
very fold-the sacred precinct OF
home. You must not loiter in an idle
manner, trusting too fondly in the
worlds honor. Your place is by the
side OF your child; in her or his mind;
in their hearts, for ten thousand
perils menace your child's honor and
purity and peace.
AS the days of old, when this fair
land was given over TO battle aud
grim death, the captain walked
ahead, his keen eye glancing from
right 10 left, and left to right again,
seeking an enemy in ambush, behind
every thicket of flowers and innocent
wavside nook-so must the mother
maintain her piercing watch.
There is the schoolroom and the
playground. The battlefield held
fewer perils than lurk in some OF
these for unmatched boys and girls.
While the mother is off duty-away
on society leave. or posing in (un)
dressed parade at II grand ball-up
comes some temptation with impure
suggestions for its rifle, and pleasant
companionship To crowd home pow
der and ball, and your boyi is wound
ed. He will carry the scar OF this
youthful engagement for life, too.
however time may heal the gaping
wound the bullet made. No need
then, oh mothers, TO wall forth,
Where is my boy to-nightT IL
takes an evil communication but n
very short while TO lodge in young
heart. And so, mothers, | say unto
you, watch ! Guard well the fold, or
the wolf will enter in sleeps cloth
! ing. 1T is nonsense; you say; "it
is impossible TO be forever near my
children. You can always be with
them in their hearts. The very name
mother is "a safeguard, II that mother
has been good, patient, and sympa-
thetic one. All yes you can be al
ways with your child. even as our
Father i'm Heaven is with those OF n
pure heart, day and night, through
storms and calm and remember this
no soul was ever left entirely al one
in the world. IL you are not with
your boy-either in actual bodily
presence or by an influence rs con
stant and responsive as the tides OF
the moon-somebody else or some
other influence will be with them.
What IL you do get tired A com
missioned officer OF God-and that Is
just what mother is-has no right
to make complaint because the re-
sponsibility is heavy and the charge
precious. Oh mothers, your work
is hard and constant, but II Is conse-
Grated and holds for its reward the
priceless gem Of a human soul re-
deemed. And mothers, think III
that precious form was buried for
ever from your sight, howgladly. Oh J
how gladly, you would take up your
burden % OF watching again, II only
you could have your child with you
once more in life.
BY and by, when your boy Is too
old TO be guided, and too conscience
scared to be susceptiblet TO tenderness
and love, you will shed tears, bitter
tears, for the wasted opportunities
when you might have saved him from
the enemy, temptation, that has cap
tured hint, body and soul. When he
is young, be his comrade, as well as
a mentor OF his tastes and the time
will surely come, when TO him no
pleasure Is complete unless mother
shares IL he wants no holiday unless
mother goes along TO make things
Jolly A boy needs the comrade-
ship OF his parents, particularly his
mother, and the sweet sympathy
that can only come from loving,
tender mothers heart. BE In sympa-
thy with your children let them
know and feel that your heart is ever
open TO receive into It's most sacred
cell, their sorrows and their joys.
All /! mothers, you can be with your
children always on earth, and by and
by the chances are that you will be
with them in Heaven.
The other evening, while the audi
ence at the Baldwin were listening
speIlbound to the famous scene where
Barrymore Is discussing the foibles OF
women, couple Of San Mateo rus
tics, in the front row Of the dress cir
Gle, began an earnest discussion as TO
the merits OF a certain prize SOW one
OF them had for sale.
Despite the angry looks and s-s-s-bs
OF those near by, the controversy
waxed louder, until at last gentle
man sitting behing the takers touch
ed one OF them on the shoulder aud
quietly said:
Excuse ME, my friend, but what
will you take for that SOW OF yoorsf
The granger started for moment
and then said: tf1 auk
About 90. j spose.p a
Exactly" said the gentleman,
taking out his pocketbook and hand
ing over a greenback.
Here is twenty. Now that SOW
is mine; just let her alone, II you
please"
The audience snickered, and though
the countryman made q woeful at
tempt to turn the joke by grayely
pocketing the note and handing over