Southport telegraph. [volume] (Southport, W.T. [i.e. Kenosha, Wis.]) 1840-1850, 1844-05-28
From the Mother Assistant
AClliLDS FIRST LESSON IN FALSE
HOOD

1t may occur to many parents, that they
themselves have taught their own children
to utter falsehoods. have recently been
led to examine this subject seriously, as il
was iorcibly presented to my mind by some
circumstances which witnessed. Honieg
the narration of it may be the means of
awakening mothers, and those who have
any intercourse with children, TO beware
how they lead their young and tender
nlinds astray, have concluded to give yea
an account OF il.
Not long since | passed an evening a,
the house of friend. While the older
members Of the family were engaged in
conversation, a bright little boy of about
four years, amused himself at the back
part of the room with tossing ball. Free
quently il would rebound, or roll into the
midst of the circle seated around the fire.
Upon ole OF these occasions il was caught
by his mother, who upon his looking in
that direction, pretended to throw it across
the room.
The little fellow went in the direction in
dicated by the motion OF his mothers hand,
and searched for the ball but in vain. He
then came back to his mother, and in
respectful manner asked for it, believing
she had the ball. Judge of my surprise,
when his mother replied ''why, John,
threw it across the room, and if you wish
for it you must look there for it,
John returned to his search, bat hardly
reached the larthest part OF the room when
bounce came back the ball, thrown from his
mothers hand. He picked it up and re-
turned to his play apparently not thinking
of the subject.
His mother, if she thought Of il at all,
supposed, [ presume, that 1t was all play,
and could do no HARM But we will see.
Presently the ball again enters the circle.
and is seized by the mother. She again
pretended 10 throw it across the room
John stands looking in that direction, but
starts not. He is doubtful. And has he
not reason TO doubt? His mother had
deceived hun once, and why may she not
againl
Mother. you havn't thrown 1t; when
you said you did before, you didn't" was
Johns remark.
Now, young as John was, he knew that
his mother had told that which was not
true. And could he after this place as
much confidence in her word as betoree
Could he be blamed if he did notl If he
had once been deceived, might he not ever
after expect the same result.
But wa. this all the harm it did. |
would it were. But no; much as it was
much as it would tend TO pierce tina.
mothers heart in after years TO think that
son would doubt her word-it was no, the
most agonizing. There was still greater
evil which grew out of this. John knew
that his mother had told that which was
no, true. For aught he knew it was man
ly, or a mark of wisdom. And he too,
had caught the infectious disease.
Presently, q thimble rolled from the
workstand upon the floor, which was no
quicker observed by John than pocketed.
Upon being asked for il, he replied, with
roguish smile, ii hav'nt got it,
Immediately called him to me. and be-
gan to talk to him of the sin of telling that
which is not true. The little fellow listen
ed attentively a while, and then said, ''Why
mother does"
Now | do not wish 10 infer that the
mother had willfulIy taught her little boy
TO tell lies. In fact, in a conversation with
her upon the subject afterwards, she re-
marked tina, she had never before thought
of i, in that light. She said she was IN the
habit frequently of playing with her little
boy, and when she did, she would often
deceive him, as in the case mentioned. -
I Ii had never occurred to her thar she was
losing her character for veraciiy, or teach
ing her boy to tell falsehoods-
Now. is IS no. to be feared that many
mothers, and other persons who have the
charge Of children, are in the habit of
amusing themselves in this way. a. tAe
risk Of making those chil4reH tafsa And