Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-08-05
A Lady Always.

1t is a grave mistake for a mother 10
lose sight of rhe fact that she Is lady,
because she thinks she has no time 10
cultivate or practice the many little &C
complShmentS which once tended 10
make her helpful and rendered her at
tractive and agreeable to others and ne
life bright and worth living. Let NE H.
lustrate this point: a lady who had IN
earlier days been school teacher and a
bright and attractive companion, mar
red a man possessed Of large farm
From the first she was unequal to her
self imposed tasks, out doors ana IN, anu
to dress according to her work, her cos
tunes became more ana more stout AM
ill-titting- She soon became a poor cor
respondent because il required some or
her precious time 10 write, and because
of her ever-increasing cares she neglect
ed all social gatherings and soon came 70
realize that she no longer compared Ia
vorably with her former associates. All
er few years her life was spent in the
kitchen, and while her two daughter
thrummed the piano she washed
starched ironed, baked. seweu and
scrubbed until they came to look down
ashamed to have her seen by their young
friends. in her short cotton gown anu
coarse, heavy shoes. She neglected writ
ing until she herself was ashamed OF tnc
cramped and awkward lines which her
stiffened fingers fashioned, ana then she
gave up entirely. She scrimped her own
wardrobe to provide her daughters wifi
gowns which made the contrast between
them the more marked. Thus she, who
had been a constant attendant at churcn.
a Sunday school teacher. valued nelp Il.
the choir an efficient director in the Ia
dies adm short, a we'll dressed, we'll
informed lady, with host of friends,
had by her unseltish misguided and UNI
appreciated notions, lowered herself TO
level beneath the most ignorant hireiing.
FINALLY utterly discouraged and broken
in heart and body. she sickened ana died,
and once again occupied promlnent po
sition-at the funeral. The worn-out
had in
plaitings and bands of glossy Dlack satln
with kerchief of fiimy white folded over
the breast; the silvery hair, looSed from
its rigorous twist. had resumed some
what of its old time wave and curl; the
distorted fingers held a bunch Of hot
house flowers, such as she had never seen
in her life; the casket was a marvel OF
| finest broadcloth, molding, festooninS,
plaitings, fringeS and oxldlzed silver,
while the daughters, who mad never mao"
| her life glad by anniversary, birthday or
| Christmas gilt, because they had no rea
| SON to think that mother cared Tor such
things paid 81 for an enormous wreath
| to properly bedeck her coffin, and Tor the
| first time in their lives almost felt proud
| Of mother Now, mothers, please don
give IN looking neat and attractive; don
give up bright colors, pretty decorations
suitable reading and music, Don't de-
| fraud yourselves of every bit OF leisure.
| Don't let husband or children ever be
| a ashamed of you, but be just ana lenlenI
! with Yourself you would with any OF
Gods creatures Be alive TO the require
ments of the times. live useful life; de
: serving of appreciation, and you Will DC
quite sure of obtaining IL.