The eldest of eight (a mother's day story)

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Part of The Young Citizen: The Magazine for Young People

Title: The eldest of eight (a mother's day story)
Language: English
Year: 1935
Rights
Fulltext: [J(('1·m/Jr·r, J.11.{5 Tille YOUNG CITIZEN Tl-H~ ~LD~ST OF ~16HT SIONING had neve1· been separated from her mother. The oldest of eight child1·en, she did most of the work in the house. Although she went to school, she had no time to prepare her lessons. Very eal'ly in the morning when she enjoyed her sleep most, her mother, Alinq Sion, would be heard saying, "Sioning, do you suppose it is still midnight?" Utte1·ed in a stern tone, this rebuke always stal'tled Sioning. Sioning would get up to prepa1·e the breakfast. While he1· younger sister set the table, she spread the clothes on the grass to bleach. She had hardly eaten her breakfast when she would find it was time to go to school. When she arrived home in the afternoon, she had to clean the house, cook the supper, wash the little hays and girls who were as clil'ty as kittens after a clay's romp. She had no time fo1· herself, no time for play, no ti me for friends. She neve1· re(A Molhers' Day Slory) By AUNT JULIA membernd when she was coddled by her mothe1· or petted by her father. How could she have the chance to be petted when babie3 came every year? At school every holiday was observed. Children 1·ead sto1·ies and poems about Thanksgiving Day. They were enjoined by teachers to be thankful to God for His innumerable blessings. Sioning- wondernd for what she should be thankful. There was no Sunclay for her, no Thanksgiving Day, every day was one of drndgery. Mothers' Day was to come about a we2k after Thanksgiving Day. Programs were being prepared to celebrate the day. The o:il'ls in Sioning's class wern emb1·oidering handkerchiefs and making householcl linen fm· their mothers. Sioning wanted to make somethine; only because it was the fad. She could not get any money from her mother without an explanation about the object of expense. Besides, she honestly could not see any particular reason \\"hv she shoul:I give her mother a gift. Didn't she work at home as no other gii·l in her class did? 324 RUFo·s CHRISTMAS GIFT (Continued from page 302) He was very sad, but his mother was very much sadder. Little Rufo had to enjoy his Christmas only by looking at the toys displayed on the show-windows. He could only look at, and wish for chem; but llc could neither touch nor have them. It was already getting dark, when the mother and the son returned home. Rufo was sad but glad at having seen the many things that he saw which he knew he could never have for Christmas. "Mother," said Rufo, "next Christmas I shall have some toys. I shall try to earn some money to buy that automobile." "Yes. you shall have it, son," said his mother. They ate their supper which Afing Ines was able to buy with her thirty centavos. Rufo was very tired so he ate with great appetite. Before going to bed, however, he told his mother, ·'Mother, I wish some fairy would bring me something while I am sleeping. I don'c care whac it is, mother. just so it is a toy." Aling Ines did not say a word. She pretended not co hear her son. She started co work in order to prevent the tears from flowing from her eyes. Bue when Rufo was already asleep. she began to cry not for herself but for her little son. She cried for sometime. Gradually she began co be_ aware of the fact that within her small nipa hut sh.? was crying and very unhappy while outside the whole town was in full merriment-music and gladness. She could not be happy even if sh.? wanted to because her little Rufo. now sleeping, could not have the toy which his little heart had desired. She was still crying when sh~ thought of Mrs. Cruz. Mrs. Cruz had always been very kind to her. Why couldn't she help her now? Why did she not think of Mrs. Cruz during the afternoon~ She could have borrowed thirty centavos from her to buy chat toy for her son. It was not too late yet. Perhaps Mrs. Cruz was not yet in THE YOUNG CITIZEN December, l!J.;;; bed and the stores were still open. - THE ELDEST OF EIGHT Before she knew what she was doing she was already in the street, more running than walking. and soon she was at the house of Mrs. Cruz. She was very glad because Mr. and Mrs. Cruz and the children were still wide awake decorating their Christmas tree. "Why. Aling Ines, why arc you here" asked Carmelo. who first saw the night visitor. "Come in." said Mrs. Cruz. "Has anything wrong happened to you and Rufo? Why com_e so late?'' "Nothing wrong has happened Mrs. Cruz. I just came to ask you if you could advance me thirty centavos to buy an automobile toy fOi: Rufo." Aling Ines told Mrs. Cruz. She told her also about her promisi.' to her boy, and thi.'ir walk at the Escolta. Mr. and Mrs. Cruz knew hO\'-' good a boy Rufo was. He hJd been an obedient- boy and a great help to his mother. Carmelo liked him so much that he and Rufo oftc11 played together when he and hi'> mother come to get the laundry. It was Carmelo who spoke first when Aling Ines finished her ston·. "Mother. do you remember that automobile toy I 'got from school bsr Saturday? It is exactly like the one Rufo likes to have. Why don't I give that to him~" Without waiting for an answer from his mother he went to get the automobile. Soon he returned. "Here, Aling Ines. give this U Rufo for his prize." Aling Ines could hardly believe her eyes seeing the toy and her ears hearing the words of Carmelo. Sh~ remembered the words of Rufo as he went to sleep about some fairy chat might give him the toy. Afin~ Ines thought she was dreaming. Fo: a while she could not talk. "Yes, Aliny Ines. Take it and give to your boy. · said Mrs. Cruz. "And tomorrow you will come h·~r..' t0 get a Christmas dinner for you and your son." Aling Ines was very happy. Sh'-' thought she was the happiest mothu that evening because she knew that (Continued front page 303) Of course. she loved her mother. but she nursed in her heart a deep resentment at the joylessness of her life. On the Friday before Mathen· Day. Sioning. with two other girls, was asked by her teacher to call on a classmate who had been absent. Lolita Ruiz was the ·richest girl in Sioning's class. She went to school in a big car. Her dresses were always distinctive and her purse was always full of "just pin money."' Sioning and her companions hesitated to knock at the gate. Th.:: big house, so quiet and imposing. was Set far from the street. The gardener admitted them into the grounds. Another servant opene<l the door to them and conducted them to ~ beautifully furnished bedroom. "It is so kind of you to visit me." Lolita said as the girls timidly €ntend the room. (Please t11r11 lo page .128) Rufo would be the happiest bov when he woke up in the morning. She took the automobile and afkr thanking Carmelo and Mrs. Cru;; and after greeting them with a ·Merry Christmas.' she left. Rufo was still sound asleep when Aling Ines arrived. She looked ac the little boy and she looked at th.? toy. Her face beamed with happt ncss. She woke up earlier than her little boy. She placed the toy on the pillow in such a way that when the sleeping little boy opened hi:; eyes, it would be the first thing he could sec. She could hardly wait to sec the happiness of her boy when he would sec the coy. Soon Rufo opened his eyes and saw the automobile. He took it and showed it to his mothe'r. "Mother. I dreamed that there was a fairy who brought me this toy. She told me it was my priz<! for being a good and an obedicrt boy.·· .. Yes, Rufo. you have been a good and an obedient boy, that is why the fairy, God, and Carmelo \28 !HE YOUNG CITIZEN Decnn/n•r, t.<1 :.; THE ELDESl OF EIGHT CHRISTMAS THL SPIRIT OF GIVING (( 011fii11tl'd /'rum page .124) (Continued irom Jmf/(' l!l.I) {CuutilwC'd from page .Jl.'i) "The teacher sent us," Sioning lricnds we surely have no right tCI You may have a schoolmate or ,;nswered. be happy. Sureiy everybody can a playmate whose parents you know · I have been very lonely, .. Lo- give som(·thing-a gift, a greeting. will not be able to buy him a gift Ina complained. "I wish I werl! or a wish-"A Merry Christmas.'· for Christm.is. You have many a member of a family like Sion- good things of which your frienJ ing·s... Lolita finished wich a sigh On Christmas we wish everybody or companion has none. Will it full of longing. JO)', happiness and goodwill because not make you happy to give him .l "'What? Like mine?" Sioning it was on the first Christmas Day little of what you have~ I( your asked in great surprise. '"You don't chat God gave his best wishes, a heart is truly kind. you can't bear know what it means to be the old- gift to us-Jesus our Mastn and to sec somwne suffer w0hi.Je you have est of eight children." Saviour. more chan enough to satisfy your" I do not know. Just the sam.:. "And there were in the same self. I would rather be one of eight tha!l shepherds abiding in the field. keep Dear children, let me add one the only one and without a ing watch over their flock by nighl'. more thought- about i:he spirit of mother." Lolita returned. ~~iving. To feed the hungry. tu '"But you have your fatht:r wh1) ·And. lo. the angel of the Lor<l dolhe the ragged. to help the needy. i~_very rich and very liberal to you... came upon them. and the glory 0t <.1r c6 give ochers coscly gifts. is not "Oh. I have no complaint against the Lord shone around about therr.· cnough. Your heart, full of willmy fatht:r. He is the best of father~. and they were sore afraid. But there is something very big tlut is lacking when there is no mother.-· '"You have servants to look after you, .. one of Sioning's companions remarked. 'And the angel said unto thcri·. h',ir not. for behold. I hring you good tidings of great joy. which shall be to all PC?Pk "You chink that is fine. On 11"1} "'For unto you is born this day part. I would rather do all th-: in the city of David a Saviour. housework and wait on my mOther which is Christ the Lord. d only I had one.·· Lolita retorted in all carnestnt:ss. '' l feel I could 'bear all poverty and hardships if I could taste a mother's kiss." Lolita continued "'My mother kisses me when I leaw for school and at my arriva:. We kiss also before we go to bed .. , Sioning·s companion said with pride. "'My mother does not kiss me." Sioning thought. "'I thank you again for cominl; I shall try to be present on Monday. Ly th, way, Sioning, I have a piece of silk which I intended for <?. Mother's Day gift." .. A gift? For whom? You have no mother." The three calle[S asked in surprise. ··r make-believe that I have on'!. 1 even planned to embroider it. But now, I cannot carry out my project. You may have it Sioning. for your mother." Sioning accepted the gift The next day. while her mother was out. she made a lovely negligee with it .~nd embroidered it with daint,spr.1ys or lazy-daisy stitches. "'And this shall be a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped When Sioning placed her gift O\'Cr h.:r mothn"s p'iilow very early on the morning of Mothers' Day. there was no more resentment i1, her heart. There was only a wish tlut her motha might kiss hi:r ewu once ANSWER TO THE LAST MONTH'S CROSS-WORD PUZZLE ir gncss and low·, 5hould go with your gift or act of charity. I would value more. a small loaf of brc.1d given to me wich the giver's goodwi!L If you would share at ~.ii what you have with others. do so willingly and gladly. A poet says. ··A gifc without the giver is bare· I .ct us not chink that wh,1t ·'le give now is lose to us forever. SomC' how or sometime good acts will b•: n·warded. Today the good things ot life may be ours to enjoy: ro morrow we may lose them all. Those whom we have helped anJ l'Ven chose whom we have not, mav then do us a good turn. Giving with all one's heart and giving for rhe joy of it, is the true spirit of love for mankind. Such is che spirit or Christmas. in swaddling clothes. lying in a manger. '"And suddenly cht:re was with the angel a multitude of heavenly host praising God. and saying . "Glory to God in the highe<>t. .~nd on c.irth peace. goodwill toward men." Our gifts. oilr fiestas. our candit:'~. our tcys. our music .• 1nd all rhin$:~ we do to celebrate the ChristmJ~ Day arc nothing unh•ss they really .~nd truly giw glory to God, makl" pL"acc on earth, and bring goodwill tow.ud on~ .1nother 'r\ !'vll'rry Christmas to Every hody ·