The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1921-05-20
LEAST OF THESE
BY EMMA L. BATsoN.
9S9eepooopepee ep9p eP9R9@,
70. 1921. Western Newspaper Union.)

that matter? He can give no good
sensible reason, to my way OF THINK
ing, why, / shouldn't stay at home.
Says Paul needs mothers care. just
imagine Ia boy over ten years old
tied to his mothers apron strings
ooh, yes. / knew you're terribly
shocked and all that sort of thing !;
so Is Jack, for that matter; but I'm
going to work Monday morning, in
spite of every obstacle, and the old
house and--and everything else can
take care of themselves. Let the
neighbors talk if they want to; be-
sides, when they're talking about me
they're giving someone else rest
Emily burst into q gale Of laughter
at the picture before her, but her
mood changed suddenly as she re-
turned thoughtfully:
my dear, know just how you feel.
| I was once in exactly the same posi-
ton as you are. I wanted good times
and fine clothes above everything
else in the world-or at least l
thought 1 did, until experience taught
me better. Would you care to have me
tell you about it?"
Heart Heart" exclaimed Beatrice
enthusiastically to an imaginary audi
ence. "Fellow citizens, the little gray
mouse has finally consented to disclose
the horrors Of the business world.
Lead on, fair one; convert me, If you
can"
Emily smiled Understandings at her
romantic little friend and replied:
you're bound I shall tell you
ship, aren't you, Beatrice? You will
be disappointed, know, for this is
just drab little tale"
She patted the fla1en curls Of her
younger daughter, Laura, while she
watched with keen interest her bois-
ferrous, affectionate little tomboy,
Louise, as she raced through the yard
laughing joyously.
"A mothers place, my friend, is
with her children, first, last and al
ways. No one else can take her place.
No one else can possibly know just
what their little hearts require. Why,
then, should she sometimes prize so
little the treasures that God has given
into her care?
1T was a great day for me, Bea-
trice, when brought home my very
first pay envelope. had visions of
all the beautiful clothes would buy
and Of the happiness I could bring to
Others. 1 was elated to think that /
was no longer dependent upon my hus-
band for ready cash. They have a
way, you know, of feeling their own
Importance, bless 'em, and are apt to
strut around as though they were
lords Of all they surveyed. But why
should we worry ourselves about such
trifies? Let them go on thinking so IL
it makes them happy and keeps them
peaceful. We know in our hearts that
they are just big, grown-up boys"
'"Yes, just boys, but such kind, de-
voted, big-hearted boys" added Bea-
trice quietly.
you're right, my DEAR" returned
her friend, land we women can often
influence them for good or evil. &C |
cOrrling to our own standards of liv-
ing and outlook upon life. But ] am
drifting away from my story. Where |
was L? Oh, yes. I could spend hours
telling you of my thrilling and tragic |
experiences as a special saleswoman
in an exclusive department store in
the heart of the city, but / will not
weary you. Suffice to say that when
returned home at night l was too ex-
hausted to enjoy my blessed young
sters and too nervous and irritable to
treat my husband decently.
I'VE missed the companionship
which we once enjoyed, but we did
not realize the reason for its absence.
Then suddenly ! became i'll. You
know, my dear. God is sometimes
obliged to put us on our backs in or
der to make us look upward 1 looked
and / beheld the handwriting OH the
wall: whatsoever shall offend the least
of these, My little ones Just that
and-it was enough.
"The answer to my unspoken ques-
ton flashed across my mind as though
sent from heaven. There was no
longer any doubt in my mind as to the
meaning of those words. l had pre-
sumed to choose my own path, regard
less Of nobler work that the Great
Mind had planned for me. was too
engrossed in my own affairs to guide
aright the uncertain footsteps of my
little ones, and too wrapped up in
trivial matters to realize that their
lonely little hearts had
need of mothers love. 1t
was all too true that l had offended