The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1898-12-27
FLASH LIGHTS FROM LIFE.

Standing near two ladies near toy
counter in ore of our large emporiums the
other day, my attention was attracted by
the following words falling from their
lips: o. said one, have no Children 10
buy toys for, and am so glad. ANA j.
replied her friend, have four to make
happy with Christmas gifts, and am SO
glad ! turned quickly to look at the
two speakers and though a casual glance
would no, have revealed much difference,
those four words did; the thoughts TO which
they gave rise fingered in my mind. and
mentally compared them as Ii seeiheo 10
me their inner lives must be.
Il have four children 10 give Christmas
gifts, ana am so glad" What volume
in the few words. Language is poor,
lifeless medium utterly IL adequate TO PIC
ture the illumination of that lncthers iiIa
who rs so glad over The blessed privilege
of making her little treasures happy; for,
while she whose unspeakab.e blessing u
has been to clasp the soft, warm hands ei
her babe in her own. feel it's tender, cling
ing arms about her neck, the dear little
head with velvety cheeks nesting TO her
BOSOM while innocent. loving, angelic
eyes gaze confiding,y into hers, with rose
bud lips dimpling into smiles and framing
themselves into baby kisses, may not al all
times realize it, but she is enjoying here
very foretaste OF heaven Itself, since the
thrilling joys ana fui!ness of gratitude Tor
her blessings makes bright and glad life
which without them would be cold and
dark, no matter how filled with material
POSSESSIONS
When Solomon chose wisdom as gift
from God. he was Informed that he had
done well; and the Intellectual mother Is
also an ineatimaDle blessing to her Gull
dreD, Ia that, even as the drainSs for 4
picture CT the architecture for the home
are vitality necessary but also as neither
are compete without the soft colorsng and
beautiful finishing so Is the inteilectual
womans life barron AMI unfinished work
without the adjoining love which crowns
her life as baby lips learn to lisp the dear
name of Mother" and TO such an one few
sentiments are more applicable than the
following lines by Charles Mackay:
"If in the wres.lings of the mind a gladia-
tor strong
Give scope and freedom to thy thought, but
strive at naught too long.
AClimb Il, the mountain top serene, and lee
life's surgeS beat
with all their whirl of striving men, tar.
far beneath thy feet.
But stay not ever on the height mid intel
lectual snow. IS
Come down betimes to tread the grass and
roam where waters flow:
Come down bsilmes to rub thy hands at
the domestic hearth:
Come down to share the warmth OF love
and little children's mirth"
> g
"Oh. see. there goes that Mrs. B., about
whom such terrible scandal was raised
a year ago; don't you remember it?" said
nf yl,a
above remarks rode by. mo, thank
heaven" was the reply, ''if ever heard it
/ have forgotten all about it long ago."
Here also a few words speak volumes.
Ones mentality Is self-deciared charnel
house, stored with dead and decaying
things which in their lifetime were foul
and unclean while the other is kept pur!-
fled from every memory that could poll
lutte. 1t is with such as this latter chat the
pure spirits of light make their abiding
place. even as binds of bright plumage and
fine organism refuse TO take up their
abode In unclean cages, but seek for tho
spreading branches fragrant laden and
flower bespangled, reaching heayenward
4 y y
please allow me-" said the ohliging VS.
itor. as she picked up the broom and pro-
ceeded to sweep down some cobwebs srs-
pended from the ceiling of the literary wo-
mans home. The writer looked Up, but
whereas, according to q conventional stan
dard sbe should have flushed crimson from
shame over such evidence OF housewifely
neglect only smiled and replied: DTS
lodge them respectfully. my dear; they are
OF far different class from those found in
the homes OF women whose eyes are CEN
tered only on dirt"
Florence T.. b. shafter.