Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1892-06-16
MOTHER AND CHILDREN.
The Former Is Too Often Neglected anf
Left Alone,


Left Alone.
There appears to be a curious ten
dency on the part of many men to Law
ish upon the little ones the affection
once exclusively the wife's. A division
of demonstration would be both nat
ural and gratifying to a woman, but
too often she is ignored in this respect.
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 en-
tering wedge of dissension. The little
one sometimes separates the father and
mother. and at its Graded the husband
goes away from the wife in thought
and deed just when she needs him most.
While she rocks that cradle she thinks
deeply. and in the adjustment Of her
ideas wifchood IS merged in the stronger
force of motherhood. She demands
more OF her husband mentally and
morally than ever before. because he is
be bv-s father. and is sometimes disap-
pointed.
In the matter CT expenses pater-
fanilias is apt TO be more generous in
| his allowances for the needs of the chill
drcn than for the less tangible wants of
their mother. He admits that clothes
can be outgrown. but is sceptical about
their going out of fashion. We are told
that mother becomes unselish. For
herself. yes: but is she not tempted to
overlook the claims of others in seeking
all good things for her children.
doubt if the mother burdened with
the care of her child's living and the
fear of its dying. can half en- joy the
beautH per Sc of childhood. The out
slider can rejoice in all the loneliness,
often with more appreciative ayes, be-
cause they are not blinded by dread.
Heredity. to conscientious woman, is
simply appalling. How can she punish
Il child for faults inherited from her
self? 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 lit
tie son, who is a pocket edition OF the
father-in-lavv in a di-unkard's grave? 1t
is possible. too. for her to discover that
her children. though gazing at her with
her mothers eyes and speaking to her
in 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 husband and
wife go their separate ways, one rear
ing the children. the other going on
alone. absorbed in business interests.
forgetful of the woman left behind but
when the sons and daughters arc grown
matters adjust themselves. Not always.
The fair girl graduate becomes the
faded little mothers rival. and in the
devotion of father and daughter the
wife is still left out. 1t Is generally the
rough boy. with that warm. loving
heart which makes boys 50 dear the
| world over. who dimly divines the sit
uat1on. and with bcarish hugs and
mammoth pats cheers and sustains the
lonely heart. While it lasts it is the
sweetest thing. this romance between
the mother and her son; but. alas. it is
! brief. Some dainty little maiden takes
| the lad captive, and then the jealousy,
the acute suffering of that mothers
heart, who can Acknowledgements Ba-