Natural Act For Mother

1910

Women Understand That Not Heroism but Simply Love Prompted Self Sacrifice

A few days ago, in a somewhat squalid neighborhood, a house caught fire. The flames shot quickly through the litter on the floor and the untidy array of clothing on the walls. A woman talking with a neighbor ran screaming to the house and without an instant's hesitation sprang through the smoking doorway into what already seemed an inferno. A moment later she staggered out, her hands and face blackened and blistered and her clothing on fire. In her arms she bore her baby, safe from harm.

The afternoon papers came out with the story, printed under headlines extolling this mother's heroism. Men read it on street cars, and as their eyes gleamed with the stirring of the spirit which leaps to greet noble deeds they said: "That woman dared to do what most men would be afraid to do." But the mothers who read it at home did not think that way. Perhaps the danger to the baby, the wrecking of the home and the burns the woman suffered brought moisture to their eyes, but to them the act was not one of heroism — it was simply what any natural mother, no matter how timid, would do under the same circumstances. — Cleveland Leader.


Lengthening Her Stay

Little May wanted permission to go somewhere, and her mother asked her if she would slay just a little while. May replied: "I'll stay two whiles, mamma."