The potters herald. [volume] (East Liverpool, Ohio) 1899-1982, 1942-05-21
TWIN
BY LUCIA MALLORY

we w "
that morning in the little white house
on the edge of town. Twin girls had
been born in the night. Young Henry
Watson, the father. worker in the CO.
operative creamery. There was not
much spare money even for one baby.
What shall we dO?" said his wife'S
mother, lighting the fire under the
coffee pot. II can't look after Stella
and two babies, and do all the other
work besides"
Il could take n of the twins home
with ne" suggested Henry's mother.
She lived in a neighboring town.
II would be lonesome with only one
baby" objected Stella. rather lamely.
When they were alone, she inquired
%anXiously, isn't there some other way,
Henry?"
I'm afraid not. Hiring help is out
of the question, and Mother has to go
home. Dad isn't well you know" .
SO they decided to Send one of the
twins with Grandma Watson.
MARY anad Martha are as alike as
two peas said Stella strengthening
their nightgOwns that evening when
they were beside her. II could never
tell which l like better. Anyway |
think it should be left to chance. Henry,
toss up a coin to see which we'll send"
He did this.
oh" exclaimed Stella, "Martha's
Granny's twin"
In a month, Grandma Watson
brought Martha back to stay.
"Oh, may! what an oid-fashioned
looking baby Here, look at my twin.
She's MODERN
Stella had compared her babies. This
was the beginning. At every turn, there
after, she spoke disparagingly by Gran
ny'S twin. She resented her mOther-in-
laws having had the baby, and, know
ing it would be unwise to show this.
she took it out on Martha. (Which
twin is the best looking, Granny's or
mine" she would inquire joking of
visitors.
When the twins We're running about,
Stella's constant Partially made Mar
tina unhappy and rebelliOus. The result
ing nervous tension interfered with the
child's digestion. Soon, her spindly legs
and apologize attitude, made Martha
no match for the well-nOurished Mary,
serenely content in the security of her
mothers favor.
Although identical, the twins were
decidedly different when they started
to school. Martha, well trained in tax
ing a secondary place at home, had no
background on self-reliance; neither
was she able to gain it at school until
the fourth grade, when the new teach
er, quick to understand the difficulty,
gave her a prominent part in a play.
Stella told the teacher that Mary
would learn the part, too, because Mar
tina ut the last minute might be too
bashful to speak.
It's not Mary's piece; it's mine!"
Martha burst out.
Yes, it's yours" said the teacher
emphatically.
That night, in bed, Martha pinched
Mary who shrieked for her mother.
"Oh, You have such a dreadful dis
position! Why can't you be more like
Mary?" said Stella, and she punished
Martha.
The auditorium was filled for the
school play. Martha was Il little fright
ened. Mary pushed in front ready to
speak, but holding her back, the teach
er said, mo, Martha gives this best
and she sent her up with a smile of
encouragement. HeaSsured, the child
spoke In Il clear voice and with con
fidence.
After this the teacher kept the shy,
unhappy Martha in an atmosphere of
assurance by giving her the center of
the stage, calling on her to recite, and
praising her at every turn. The teacher
was also careful not to a%ntagOniZe
Mary, who was soon proud of Martha's
popularity.
Stella'S friends began congratulating
her on Martha'S success at school.
Stella was gratified. During the next
school program she sat beaming with
pride-both girls We're smiling and con
fident.
"The twins look just alike now" she
told Henry that night.
They were more nearly alike once
more, but early experience always
1n,vn thni,. ,,,l.