Juniata sentinel and Republican. [volume] (Mifflintown, Juniata County, Pa.) 1873-1955, 1893-10-25
TIRED OF MOTHER,u
7atleiio Sketch of Life by n Youths Com
panion Contributor.


A visitor inspecting the charities
Of Il manufacturing town in New
England came at last TO the Home of
Cd Ladies', Being young and kindly,
hc thought if he were TO build sucl
an inn for tired souls while they
waited the coming of the Shadow, it
should be set in the midst of quiet
woods or gay and friendly flowers.
This home looked out on dusty streets
and brick-yards.
Within the managers had fulfilled
their duty. Each iamate had half
of Il clean, bare chamber, a bed, a
caest of drawers and a chair. She
was given sO.mIny ounces of rleat
and bread for Breakfast. of meat and
potatoes for dinner, of bread and az
ple-sauce for tea. The food never
varied throughout the wear.
The house was kept srotlesSly
clean, yet there was in 1t a favor Of
decay and hopeless sadness. The
withered old women sat silent, or
talked feebly of yesterdays wind or
to-day's rain. No other changes
came to them. They hal no home
nor place nor work in the world.
Nothing but this little bare space in
which to sit and walt -br death.
"Do you know anything of them"
the stranger asked of the matron.
That tall woman, now? She has Il
strong, noble face. VINO is 81 -
THAT is Ann Miller" s.. said. Il
happen to know her s'u.g. Her hus-
band died, leaving Dcr pcnnilcSs with
three children. She opened 4 little
school for small children. She q d
tailoring at night. The baby, a girl,
was sickly. For years this woman
sat stitching,by the cradle until mid
night or early~morn.ng.
''She had great ambition for her
children. She wOrGcd and starved
herself to keep them at school, to
make their lives happy and full. One
is now a merchant; the other edits Il
newspaper in the West. The girl
married a wealthy farmer"
"And their mother is-here?" said
the stranger amazed.
Yes" said the matrOn. "Her
children took her to live with them
in turn. But she was not pleasant
to look at, and her manners were out
of date. The grandchildren, striving
to be fashionable, found her in the
way. Grandmother's seat at the
table and her chamber were necled
for mole stylish guests.
Her sons and daughter tired OF
her old stories, OF her love, ard of her.
They paid the sum necessary to place
her here, and they never come near
her"
The visitor went to her and talked
checrfuIly for a few moments. lie
happened to mention his home.
Her withered face flushed and trem-
blcd. Are you from A." she
cried. My son John lives there.
am expecting visit from him. lie
has not been here for more than =
year. But John is SO busy, you
know,
"Did you ever see his little boys?
/ was 50 fond of them. l dream about
them every night almost They loved
me so. They would climb on my
knees and beg for stories, and hug
and kiss me.
uelI HloJueT GlSlyITONel Ol IL.
She said an old persons breath was
unhealthy. 1t may be SO. But if
could only see them once" she said
rising in her excitement.
Tell her l will only look at them.
! will not touch nor kiss them. Ny
children have oUtgrOwn me. But the
little boys loved me. Tell John it is
near the end. Oh, I'm comfortable
enough But l want my own! And
l am so lonely. Beg him to come.
to bring them once before go"
When they had left her the stranger
said, Surely YOU have no other such
case? The children who could so
abandon n mother are monsters"
You are mistaken. Many ambiti-
Gus men and women, pushing into
| society, find mother Il weight. They
put her out Of sight in Home, and
forget her"
The stranger, looking back, saw
AIMS hungry eyes following him.
But God" he said to himself, "God
does not forget the cruelty Of the one
or the loneliness of the Other.'