The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1892-11-18
IA THEIR And MOI HER.

| Harpers Bazar
There appears to be a curious ten
dency on the part of many men to
| lavish upon the little ones the affec-
ton once exclusively the wife's. A
division of demonstration would be
both natural and gra tifying to
woman, but too often she is ignored
in this respect entirely. The boys
and girls are joyfully greeted by the
homecoming father, while the wife is
carelessly nodded at over their sunny
heads. A wise observer once said:
Trouble comes with the first baby if
it is coming at ALL Different ideas of
government are often the entering
wedge of dissension The little one
sometimes separates the father and
mother, and at its cradle the husband
goes away from the wife in thought
and deed just when she needs him
most While she rocks the cradle she
thinks deeply, and in the readjust-
ment of her ideas wifehood is merged
in the stronger force of motherhood.
She demands more of her husband
mentally and morally than ever be-
fore, because he is baby's father, and
is sometimes disappointed.
In the matter of expenses pater-
his allowances for the needs of the
children than for the less tangible
wants of their mother. He admits
that clothes can be outgrown, but is
skeptical about their going out of
fashion. We are told that Il mother
becomes unselfish. For herself, yes f;
but is she not tempted to overlook the
claims of Others in seeking all good
things for her children
l doubt if the mother. burdened
with the care of her child's living and
the fear of its dying, can half enjoy
the beauty per Sc of childhood. The
outsider can rejoice in all the lowell
ness. oftener with more appreciative
eyes, because they are not blinded by
dread. Heredity, to conscientious
woman, is simply appalling. How
can she punish a child for faults IT.
herited from herself? Can she be
happy as she notes the growth of a
disposition which should, for the good
of the race, end with her husbands
life? Can she help being afraid when
she looks at the little son, who is q
pocket edition of the father-in-law in.
drunkard's grave? is it possible,
too, for her to discover that her chill
dren, though gazing at her with her
mothers eyes and speaking to her in
the tones of voice that has made the
music of her life, are aliens in thought
and deed?
But, some one says, know all that;
there are years of patient care and
toll, years, perhaps, when the hus-
band and wife go their separate ways,
one rearing the children, the other go
ing on alone, absorbed in business in
terests, forgetful of the woman left be-
hind but when the sons and daugh-
tiers are grown matters adjust them
selves. Not always. The fair girl
graduate becomes the faded little
mothers rival and daughter, the wife
is still left out. 1t is generally the
rough boy, with that warm, loving
heart which makes boys so dear the
world over, who djmly div,n~s the
situation, and with )earisn mugs and
mammoth pats CHI :, rs and sustains
the lonely heart. Ng.lile it lasts it is
the sweetest thing, this romance be-
tween the mother a n her son but,
alas, it is brief s lie dainty little
maiden takes the d captive, and
then the jealousy, Ills aci'e suffering
of that mothers heart, who can
fathom?