" AX WAT 8 HEAB BOTH 8TDCS OP A 8TOET.
"And so Mr. Burton is really going
to marry again," said my cousin Caro
line, as I took my work-basket and
seated myself beside her.
"And who is the happy person ?" I
asked.
"Happy, indeed ? Who would think
or expecting happiness where step
mothers are concerned ?" she exclaimed.
"But is not the lady amiable. Caro
line?" "As to that I do not know," was the
answer ; "I am not acquainted with her.
But I really think Mr. Burton a cruel
man. He cannot have his child's hap
piness at heart, or a strange woman
would not be brought into his familv to
destroy the merry days of Clara. I do
not believe that a good stepmother ever
existed.
"Why, Caroline, you speak very
warmly, and without much experience,
I fear," said Mrs. Marshall, a friend
who was visiting in the family, and
overheard the observation. ;
"Perhaps I do," replied Caroline,
"But candor compels me to say that I
have witnessed more discord and nil
happiness produced in families by step
mothers, than from any other one
cause."
"But you should recollect, my dear,
that your remark might be qualified
somewhat There are exceptions to
every rule. Do yon not suppose that
there have been stepmothers who loved
children not tbeir own, and were equally
beloved by them in return?" asked Mrs.
Marshall, earnestly.
"I will not dispute that yon may
know of such eases, but I cannot say aa
much for myself," said Caroline, firmly.
