The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-08-16
StepmOthers.
Harper'S Bazaar.

Harper's Bazaar.
1t must be conceded, therefore, that the
path of the stepmother brstles with diff
culties, and that she is a brave woman
who deliberately chooses to walk therein.
Doubtless there will dawn for the happiest
and most successful stepmother under the
sun days when, like the poor turbulent
mother in The Master, who, by the way.
was not stepmother, she will long for
wild instant or two to throw up the posi-
tion."
But no fair-minded person, looking dis
passionately over the field of her acquaint-
ance, can fail to admit that many step
mothers are capable of that quiet accept
ance OF burdens, that commonplace round
of small self-denials and daily sacrifices,
which are essentially rraternal 1t is not so
much that loving their husbands, these
women love their husbands twice and thrice
as they devote themselves to the upbring
ing of the children in the home as that
to some women love for childhood is the
highest expression of their humanity. There
are unmarried women, old maids, in the
familiar homely phrase. who possess the
mothers nature TO degree far SURPRISING
that which has been given to some wives.
There are mothers of children who never
know the sacredness and purity of real
motherhood, mothers to whom children are
push maternal cares aside. that they NAV
devote themselves 10 the pursuits which
wills.
Stepmothers there are, not a few. who
fill their delicate and difficult role to per-
lection, aware of its grave responsibilities,
accepting its bitterness with resignation,
humbly and devoutly filling each hour OF
their lives with the grace or patience and
the tenderness of the true womanly soul.
Such women often have sense of owing
something to the one whose unfinished life
they have generously consented TO supple
ment. whose work they are doing, whose
with a seldom forgotten feeling of vicarous
obligation. They are even jealous and SEN
sitive in behalf of the mother who has gone,
far more so than would be believed by those
who never standing where they stand. can
have no comprehension either of the purity
of their motives or the Self-abnegation OF
their daily lives.
Honored among women should be the
stepmother of this sort, by no means rarely
met in the procession we pass on lifes
journey
How to Carry Yourself.
New York Tribune.
1t is safe to say that not one woman i'm
five hundred carries herself gracefully. and
yet next to actual beauty of feature and
coloring, there is nothing that adds so
much to a woman's attractive appearance
as a straight, well-poised figure and an
erect carriage of the head. Despite her
years, her embonpoint. and her want of
beauty. there is no more misunderstanding
woman at the English court than the lit
tie, fat old Queen. her one notable point
being the way she carries herself that
alone gives her distinction.
1t is very odd that, knowing the i'm
portance of this matter and the great adj
vantage it gives to "a woman, whether
she be plain or beautiful tall or short, fat
or thin, to hold herself WELL so very few
are willing to take the trouble of acQu.r-
| ing a habit which, when once mastered, is
rarely lost. That this Is a crooked and
perverse generation is literally true. as
What can I do to straighten my daugh-
| ter?" is a constant query; and one I'M
| fortunately that remains unanswered, for
| there seems to be really satisfactory
way. invented as yet TO correct an ugly
| carriage. Braces are useless, athletics of
| all kinds, although excellent for the health,
| are not eficacious for this trouble, en-
cepting inasmuch as they strengthen the
| general system. All temporary expedents.
such as carrying a book on the head. drill
| ing, ETC.. last onlv for the time being, the
chin remaining poked forward and the
shoulders rounded as before. An appeal to
vanity seems to be the most potent meth
cd of influencing girls to straighten them
selves up, but this also fails with many. IL
| would seem that some specific treatment
might be, found to correct this growing
| and interchangeable evil, If physicians would
| cal remedy might be invented. Certain it
| is that If such a cure could be found IL
would be considered boon of incalculable
value by mothers. OF course. the chief
| trouble lies in the laziness and self-indulg-
| ence of the spoiled daughters of this gem
| Grafton. They are not willing to make
| the exertion necessary to strengthen the
| waist muscles and so they miss the pos
session of what is really an all-conquer-