Year: 1860

Want OF reflection, rather than a purpose
to do wrong, was the fault of Edward Mar
tin. This it is but Just we should say in
favor Of lad who was to his poor mother
daily source of trial.


Edwar! never seemed to think of others
or we should say how his conduct would
effect others. Reckless, i'm mpulslve and noisy
he kept all in excitement around him. His
appearance at home, after school, was al
ways the beginning of disorder or the
signal Tor trouble. He could not pass his
younger brothers or sisters without putting
his hand upon them in some improper man
ner nor could he see them enjoying them
selves at play. without some kind Of inter-
ference.


Thus Edward made himself the disturb
er of the household.


AS we have said, he was a great trial to
his poor mother whose health was feeble,
and who. in orler to keep her children
around her, toiled daily beyond her strength.


One afternoon Edward came dashing into
the house. in his usual boisterous manner,
slaming the door behind him with loud
jar. and rattling. and stamping up the stairs
with noise that greatly resembled more
the tramping of horse than anything else
At the landing above he met his brother
Harry. whom he saluted with a pinch on
the ear. and set the little fellow to scream-
ing violently, AS he entered the sitting
room, he deliberately kicked over house
which Charley had just built, with patient
ingenuity out of some blocks which had
been given him and sezing Annals doll,
he thew it roughly to the top OF a clothes
press.


The consequence was that all three OF
the children were set to crying.


Elward - y feeble voice called to
the lad from the adjoining room 1t was
the feeble voice of his mother.


Knowing that he would be reproved for
his conduct. Edward did not obey the call
and waited for it to be repeated three or
four times before answering his mother.


What do you want - came then rude
y and undutifully from his lips.
Il want YOU" There was something
unusual in the tone of Mrs. Martins voice.
1t was not angry and reproving, but low
and very sad.


Edward fel, instantly sorry for what he
had done. anu spoke d few soothing words
to his brothers and sisters though with
little effect. Then he wen, into his moth
er's chamber. He found her lying upon
her Led. and looking very pale and troubled


The children were quiet and happy un:
til you came in. Edward.


There was, to the ear Of the boy, a still
deeper sadness in his mothers voice. He
did not attempt to excuse himself, for he
felt that he had done wrong-but stood ST.
lent with his eyes upon the floor.


Edward" resumed Mrs Martin, it is
not very long that have to stay with you.
When am dead. you will remember the
pain you gave your mother, and this will
be sad recollection


The mothers voice trembled then she
pillow.


Edwards feelings were touched He
stood for few moments near his mother,
and then slowly moved away. He felt sor-
ry for what he hal done. Passing through
the adjoining room. he went up to the gar
ret where he slept al stnight, and with sigh,
laid himself scross the bed. He seemed to
have been lying there only few minutes,
when he was surprised by the entrance of a
stranger, who said to him abruptly


Your mother is dead -


Starting up. Tin his dream. for he had
already fallen asleep.) Edward ian down
stairs, where he met crowd of persons
going into the chamber he had Just left. He
followed. One glance at the pale, death
stricken face of his mother sutficed. Ut
tering cry of grief. the unhappy boy
threw himself beside the lifeless form Of
his mother. Oh, what crowd of rebuk-
ing memories now thrcnged through his
mind. Every unkind act and word came
up before him and they filled his heart with
grief unutterable, yet unavsiling. She who
had SO loved him, and SO suffered through
his unkindness, had passed away. He would
see her no more-would never again hear
her loving voice. What would he not then
have given to be able to recall the past.


"Oh, my mother! Ny mother :" he
cried. - com, back Com. back to me.
will never grieve you, again.


Suddenly there was q change. A light
seemed to break arounl hun. Ha started
up. aud founi himself in his garret room,
with the last rays Of tbs setting sun look
ing in upon him.


"Was it only dream 90 he murmursd,
as his painting breast rose and fell. and he
gazed doubtingly around him. Was it
only dream. or is my mother rsally
dead 90