Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-06-01
the earliest opportunity TO leave tire
parents and go out into the world.
NAGGING MEN.

NAGGING MEN.
There are nagging men as well as nag
ging women, but as the fathers are usu-
ally absent from home during many
hours OF the day they have less on
portunity to destroy family peace. II IS
said that "the mother holds the key Of
the soul and stamps the coin OF charac.
ter" We remember Cowpers lines 10 his
mothers picture: "Oh, that those lips
had language! Life had passed with me
but roughly since | heard thee last"
Memories OF mothers sweet voice have
led back wandering feet 10 paths OF
righteousness but harsh words OF other
mothers have driven children 20 the broad
ways OF destruction. as did a certain
widow. who rallied continually at her chill.
dren. They feared her when they were
little; but as they grew older, they gave
back railing for railing; and every son
or that mother was laid in drunkard's
grave. A little lad made desperate by
the nagging OF both parents ran away,
crossed the sea as a stowaway, and found
refuge with a relative who obtained
permission TO bring him up. Under the
rule OF his parents he had been deceitful
driven TO falsehood through fear When
loved and trusted he returned love anl
trust, and developed fine character
In another home the nagging of tho
mother was repeated In the children. Old
grievances were Gwelt upon. magnifled,
and brought forward at most inoppor-
tune moments, and there was con-
tinual round OF petty fsult-findng sand
retort But realization of her RESPONSE
billy came to the mother: she controlled
the querulous words, and turned them
TO gentle ones. The children were puz-
zled. They did not expect the new condi-
ton 10 last; but II I'D last, and now
II is rare 10 hear an impatient word IN
that house from any OF its members
one may make excuse for the nervous
conditions Of invalids: the irritability
that results from sleepless nights and
long-contInued suffering Is difficult TO
control; but much Of the uncontrolled
irritability Of invallds Is the outcome
Of selt-pity and lack OF consideration for
others. The development OF egotism and
81 fshness in some natures is one Of the
evils Of invalidlsm.
rs your patient better. nures?' asked
a sympathetic visitor
Yes, ma'am; oh, yes, to be sure. she
Is better bodily. But she's so discontenteo
and fault-iinding that II the Lord shoulc
see ~ to take her shed be making trou.
BILE among the angels and complaining
that her halo didn't fit"
on the other hand, some OF the most
winning lessons or patience and self-re.
nunciation are learned from invallds. who
are suffering from ailments that pecu.
liarly AFFECT the nervous system. one who
had been stricken with lncurable disease
ministercd 10 others long after she shoulc
have laid aside her cares. and In the las
weeks Of her long Illness was continu
ally watchful lest those who tended hei
should be wearied. On the day OF h-l
death, when she was in great agony, sht
had asked her nurse 70 do something 10
her relief. but presently she said ION
my dear, forgive me. | had forgotten yoi
have had no dinner. Please go down; tht
pain "a not unbearable. and | can wal
till your return" Most people can re
member some pale. weary mother. bear
ing herself brayely, listening patiently q
the joys and griefs OF her children, con
cealing suffering for the sake Of thos
who need her care and affection. m
ranks OF naggers are not recruited from
such women. No woman with an unselns
and motherly spirit could be one OF th
habitual naggers, though she might b.
betrayed by pain and nervous tension INT
momentary irritability.