Cheraw gazette. [volume] (Cheraw, S.C.) 1835-1838, 1836-05-17
PARENTS DEPARTMENT.
From 1le Mothers Magazine.

i
the Mothers Magazine; and to "a class OF
mothers, whose misguided tenderness would
prevent the exercise of even salutary dlsclp.
line, it may convey an important lesson.
The incident occurred more than twenty
years since; yet the circumstances arc fresh
in my recollection. A few facts will serve
to show why the recollection ofthcm should
De thus vivid.
A short tanc previous to my leaving COL
lege, had received an invitation to become
private tutor to the children of a gentleman
ofrank and fortune, IN the State of--.
This proposal, by the advice of friends, was
accepted; and, in a few weeks after bidding
adieu to my Alma Mater, left my patcrnal
roofto enter upon new an: umtried station.
1t was emphatically new to me. Although
conscious Of possessing adequate literary
knowledge for the sphere was to occupy,
lny heart had many misglvmgS, during 4
Journey Of more than ono hundred miles,
les, | should fil to give satisfaction 10 the
gcntl man and lady, whose children were TO
come under my care. | had 10 personal
acquaintance with them, but their well known
wealth and rank were somehow associated
iamy mind with overwecning indulgence TO-
wards their children. Brought up, as had
been, in the country, and little conversant
with the forms and fashions of the world, |
.:,d connected wealth with indulgence. and
v.;,s prepared, therefore, to see my ill-5oding
an;;cipations realized. 1t was my determi-
nation, however, to put in practice what cir
cu,nspection, was master OF, and if failed,
would ut ic'sst bear from the splendid man-
,;ol that best and greatest solace of ones
is3s--a good conscience.
The heart Of a youth Of diffdence will
%ornetimcs knock louder than the knockcr
"a which he wrapts at strange door. 1t
as thus with myself, as | sought admit.
:cc at the stately mansion, whittier was
and. A servant opened the door; and,
my inquiring after the gentleman Of the
Sc, | was informed. that he he had been
.'t some months, and the period Of his
s''.rn was still uncertain. My letter of in
Traction conveyedto MIS-, soon brought
,ac IN invitation to come in. The manner
II Which she noticed me was kind; but the
s:rangeness ofmy situation, the damp cast
Goon say feelings by the absence of the gen.
;;ornaa--thc conviction that | now had to
d&at OILY with the mother, and that mother,
Psntaps one Of excessive tenderness, with a
lUndred other circumstances flirting across
a23 mind, all contributed to distress and en-
.,crIass INC. During brief conversation,
/. VAS settled, that should enter upon my
C.iites on he;lollowing day, at which time
wils to be intSoduced to my new charge.
Atnine, the next morning, entered, for
slsfirst time, thegoom appropriated to our
.,terry labors. 1t was spacious chamber,
Oatween which and the library opposite, was
..wide and extended hall. For several DAYS
Hfothiag worthy Of special notice occurred.
Coairary to my anticipations, the children
appeared docile, and bcocmingly attentive
o their studies. AS | saw little of the
aotller, my boarlin.: place being some dis.
tlAce from the house, had no other means
o; Judging ofthe" character Of her discipline,
th;tn in the general well demeanor and res
paclful manner ofmy pupils. In these res
poets, had no fault to find; and, at length,
was coming to the conclusion, that wealth
drank were not necessarily opposed to
wholesome discipline.
About this timethe incident occurred, ITO
which l.aye alluded; and which, for a short
time, broke up the pleasing anticipations l,
Had formed, during the few days ofmy new
employment.
Qne afternoon, having occasion to direct
the eldest boyto do something, which need
mot here be named, he promptly. refused;
and, when mildly informed that compG-
ti!ce of SO reasonable a request, was of
course expected, he exhibited an unantici.
pated and surprising determination to resist.
soon found the spirit of dissatisfaction as
strong inthe other pupils as in him; and at
length, was told in plain terms by. one, that
I was not employed to govern, but to teach.
Sensible of the importance, in this early
stage of my tutorship, ofso managing case
OF difficulty. as on The one hand to secure
the good feelings of my pupils, and, on the
other. to gam their respect and obedience; |
rose from my seat and pacing the room, took
time to deliberate rs to the course should
pursue. Judge my surprise, and even dis
treSs, as in one Of the turns made near the
door, leading into the hall, (Which happened
10 DC open, to notice the mother of the chill.
dren seated ona sofa, with needlework in her
hand. She was employed at the moment
that my eye fell upon her, and immediately |
/ turnedfo the opposite side of the room. |
For a few moments my heart palpitated dis.
tressingly; true, fneed not have been thus
embarrassed, my cause was good one, my
requisition proper one; but then difident
nature betrayed its weakness, and natural
fear ofgiying offence increased my distresss.
1t was quite impossible, from her proximity,
that shcshould not know precisely what had