The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1903-01-29
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A MOTHERS AWAKENING.
the ChristIy sympathy of
Some Ladies'.


chances. Don't you know, little girl,
that it is wrong" began one of them,
severely.
do not blame her" the other inter
posed, hastily. ''She is scolded, even
beaten if she does mott knOw-there
is a dent now in the pail from one re-
fusal."
"Mother says she is sick and needs
it" the little girl added in tone of
apology, looking from one to the other,
one so gentle and kind, the other so
intolerant.
Poor little one, l am so sorry for
you!" the kind lady said, her hand
brushing back a tangle of knotted
curls from the childs brow. You will
be sure to come to Sabbath school to-
morrow, won't you, Nellie? We have
such a sweet lesson"
The child's dark eyes lit up with
pleasure. Yes, ma'am, if mother will
let me-"
As Mrs. Reed and Mrs. Blunt passed
on towards the better part of the
town, the child disappeared into an
alley.
a woman with red, bloated face and
bleared, unwomanly eyes, stood at
the head of the stairs as the child
toiled upward. Hurry up, honey, for
NOMINEES awful thirsty" she said in
a wheedling tone. Seemed like you'd
never come" catching the pail from
the childs hand and lifting it eagerly
to her lips.
81 met Mrs Reed Just now" she said,
hoping to divert her mother from her
refreshment.
you never let her see what was in
the pail, did you?" The tone was al
most fierce.
'She did not ask, but she couldn't
help smelling it," returned Nellie,
bravely Il wish | didn't have to carry
beer, mother. 1t makes me so
ashamed
ASHAMED to do little errand for
your poor, sick mother?" said the
woman, angrily, as she placed the pail
on a shelf in a small. dark closet. you
and your father are just alike, be-
grudging me little bit of comfort
when I'm sick"
mo, mother, I'd never be ashamed
to do any other errand for YOU" pro-
tested Nellie, eagerly. I'D do any
thing in the world for you if you'd only
let the drink alone. Mrs. Reed looked
SO grieved."
"Oh, WELL l guess she don't care very
much. Those ladies that come here
a-charityin', they want to get you in
to their doings, that's all. They
wouldn't touch me with the tips of
their fingers, because | have a little
sup O. medicine now and then" The
heavy head was beginning to droop
and the thread of thought was lost as
the woman dropped heavily into a con-
venient chair.
Nellie moved about, panied look on
her childish face, trying to evolve a
supper from the scanty materials
which she found in the corner cup
board. Her father would soon come
home from his days work, tired and
hungry. He came in while she was
setting the table-a thin, shadowy
man with a look of patience and long
suffering upon his face. One glance
revealed the usual state of things at
home, and then he looked away from
Z the besotted wife to the pleasanter
picture of the Industrious little girl,
doing in her small way what she could
for his comfort
Perhaps the appetizing odor of the
meat was stronger than the spell of
the beer, for the mother opened her
eyes and gazed stupidity at the father
and daughter as they were drawing
their chairs to the table.
Supper ready, and you not calling
me- she said, angEily 81 suppose it
don't matter whether | eat or not, so
you have enough" and she east re-
proachful glance at her husband as
she drew near the table, but he made
no reply. He seldom attempted any
conversation with his wife.
The next day was clear and beauti-
full, and Mrs. Perry was again stupid
from the effects of her morning
draught. She made no objection as the
child combed her own tangled hair and
made ready for Sunday school. Her
father helped to button her one suit
able dress and brought her shabby hat
from its place.
The lesson was on lilies of the field,
and the tender loving care of the
Father, and to illustrate it Mrs. Reed
had brought bouquet of flowers.
She noticed Nellic's wistful gaze at the
beautiful blossoms, and an inspiration
came to her. Here, Nellie dear, they
are yours" she said, as she placed the
bouquet in the child's hands. per
haps your mother will enjoy them, too.
Tell her ! am coming to call on her to-
morrow"
A swift look of gratitude, then Mel
lie spoke impulsively: Mother thinks
you don't care for her-that you only
come to see me-"
"But | do care, dear child. will send
the flowers to her; you can enjoy them
just the same"
"Oh, yes" a look of quick intelli-
gence at her teacher, then tender,
happy glance at the lovely flowers. 1t
seemed so good to know that some
body cared, that the Father cared, that