Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-10-11


while there. the eldest child was required by
her father to do something. with which she
refused to comply. The father attempted,
by reasoning and expostulation, to induce
her to do it, but in vain. During the dis
ciplinary process, the grandfather sat calm
and thoughtful. watching the result. The
child, at length, having complied, was dis
missed, and left the room.
The grandfather, upon this, addressed the
son "My son." said he, "you manage your
children differently from what did you.
Doyou recollect my pcrcmptory prohibition
ofyour acting tine tragedy, several years
ago :"
a do, sir" replied the son "and it has
ever been mntter of surprise, not that you
should have been so decided, but that you
should have declined giving me your reasons
especially as was at an age to have un-
derstood, and perhaps have appreciated
them."
"You speakwsely, my son. said the
father; ':perhaps you would have apprecia-
ted my reasons-perhaps not. But will
now do what have long intended to do
explain TO YOU my reasons for the course /
took and from these you may gather my
views on the subject of parental govern
mcnt, with which, if what | have just not-
ced in your treatment of Your child be an
expression ofyour views, mine are certainly
not a little at variance.
at had for several years been the prac-
tice of the students, you recollect, to get up
a tragedy in -~. The effect ofthis up.
on our young people was decidedly bad. |
felt the importance of putting a stop to the
practice. How to accomplish my ohjcct,i
was at loss. we'll knew that it were far
better not to make the attempt, than TO make
it and fail. AT length, when | found that
you and your brother were to take parts, my
plan was soon formed. From my knowl-
edge ofyour character as professor ofre-
ligion, concluded that you would not act
your part, without first obtaining my per-
mission. | ear lv determined, although well
acquaintainted with your plans, not to inter-
fere until it was too late for any others TO
learn the parts which had been assigned YOU
and your brother. AS it happened, you de-
layed requesting my permission until the
morning ofthe day on which the tragedy
was to be acted. This was precisely as
wished. When you made application, |
was prepared to forbid you, and yet, my
son. it was one ofthc most painful acts of
my life. Nothing but strong conviction
of duty, a sincere desire to prevent 4 practice
fraught with evil to the young people ofmy
charge, could have enabled me to accom-
plish my purpose. You expressed your
surprise then. and now, that | did not in
form you Of the reasons by which vas ill.,
nucnced. Had | done this, You now per-
ceive, it would bave defeated my object. |
so we'll understood human nature, as to be
aware that, ifit were known that my object
was to break up the practice, there would
have been revolt and reaction. You might
not have appreciated my motives, for your
feelings were ardcntly enlisted; or, could
YOU have felt the force of this, others proba-
blv would not and | should have failed in
accomplishing an object which | deemed
highly important, and the failure would have
been followed by a loss of Influence, which
it was important to my usefultuncss to re.
tain. Ny success was complete from that
day, no tragedy has ever been acted in the
town Of -. Several who were con-
| tt,o hot
has since requested an explanation of my
conduct, and have the pleasure to know
they are now entire y satisfied.
| 81 had forseen that an effort would be
made to induce YOU and your brother still
to act your parts. had engaged person
in whom | could confde, to apprizc me,
should such an effort be made. This he
did. You may judge my anxiety lest the
temptation should prove too great for YOU
yeti had strong confidence that you would
resist it. Your triumph was noble one. and
even felt proud that | had such son. |
we'll knew, whatever your companions might
say under the smart of disappointment, that
they would honor YOU in their hearts. Sew.
eral of them have since convcrscd with me
upon the subject, and you have not lost your
reward. Had you yielded to their So
licitatons, it was my determination to have
appeared in the midst Of you, and TO have
Withdrawn you and your brother. This
painful course | was spared, and the result
was as | could have wished"
tits quite probable that, TO some Of the
readers ofthc Magazine, the course pursued
f by this father may appear stern and Sc
we're. That it was different from the tame
and indecisiye discipline Of modern times,
is conceded but was it unknd was it un.
scriptural ?