Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1845-01-10
FEr e. SID g.
"FlOWerS for ChildrenN

This is the title of a little work by Mrs. L.. M.
Child, just published in New York. The New
York Tribune extracts from this book the follow
ing story, which beautifully illustrates the power
of Kindness in retaining the vicious:--
The first article, [says the Tribune, is a story
entitled "The Christ Child and the Poor Chill
dren," suggested by the account Of the Redemp-
ton institute at Hamburger, furnished by Horace
Mann in his late report on Education, and pub
lished some time since in the Tribune. Heinrich
and Gertrude Ludwig were the children of parents
who lived in the most degrading poverty in a dirty
lane in Hamburger. The father was a miserable
drunkard, and the mothers heart was chilled and
p~aralyzed by adversely. The children were as hap
ply as could be expected in their circumstances. and
Gertrude was greatly beloved by her brother. In
the same dirty court lived a family in which the
boy, somewhat older and stronger than Heinrich,
of the most desperate character. His name was
WoIfgang Turkheim, and he had been taught,
from early childhood to quarrel and fight with 9TH
err children. He abused Heinrich and Gertrude on
all occasions, and seemed delighted at every OPP
portunity of doing SO. Heinrich had never been
taught The lesson Of forgiveness, and such abuse
awakened in him the passion Of revenge. At length
the benevolent founder Of the Redemption Insti-
tute found these children and invited them TO his
home. Heinrich and Gertrude, by consent o their
parents, accepted the invitation and placed them
selves under the redeeming influences of this
Christ-like institution. Here they were taught to
overcome evil with good and the lesson made Il
deep impression on their hearts. They tried the
effect of this teaching upon Wolfgang. and after
many rebulis, Gertrude succeeded in inducing him
TO 90 with her to the Institute: and here we will
let the author tell a part of the story in her own
words:
For day or two, Wollgang behaved tolerably
well; but his evil habits were strong, and he soor
began to be quarresome and mischievous. Helm
rich was nursing a few currant bushes in his gar
den, with great care. The bad boy dug them W
by the roots, and when Heinrich came to look a
them, he laughed and Knocked at him. Heinrich
grew very red in the face, and began to double ~
his fists. But luckily he remembered that the boy:
had been told to go to the Father House and ash
advice of their teacher, whenever they were il
trouble, or tempted to do anything wrong. There
fore, he did not say one word, but went straight t.
the Father, and told him the story. You say yol
wanted to beat WoIfgang,' replied the good man
would that make him a better boy?' mo, SIR re
piled Heinrich; for he knew that beating neve
made him better. 'DO you want to punish hun
or do you want to make him Il better boy?' askeC
the teacher, Heinrich hesitated: but finally an
swered, Il did want to have him punished; but
ought to want to make him a better boy 'Yol
have answered well, replied the Father. nd
wise you to treat WoIfgang more kindly than ever
make no alIusiUn to what he has done. Offer {
help him make his garden; and the next time yor
have fruit, or anything he particularly likes, Civ
half your share to him. In the book | read to you
you know, Jesus Christ says we must overcome ev
with good. Let us try it with Wolfgang. TIL
more evil he does to Us, the more good will we d
to him.
Heinrich promised that he would, and he wer
away glad that be had not struck his provokiu
companion. The next day he helped dig VOL
gangs garden, and gave him some plants frol
his own. The rude boy was at first rather surl
and ungracious, but his heart was touched an
when Heinrich came to him at sunset, with a ba,
ket full of berries, he could not help saying, II i
sorry | pulled up your currant-bushes. | only di
it for fun. | will water them every day, and ii
to make them live.' THANK you,' said Heinrich
and the two boys chatted pleasantly together, an
ong the lowers. When Heinrich saw the teache
he ran to him, and whispered in his ear, 'Fathe
the evil is overcome with good! Wolfgang is so
ry.' A kiss and a SMILEY were his reward and
went bounding off, with a heart full of love al
JOY"
1t was by such means that the evil propensiti
of Wolfgang were gradually subdued, and streng
given to his powers of selt-control but the e'
within him was not yet fully conquered. Ho
naturally does the following incident illustrate d
power of temptation over a mind enfeebled by e,
associations and habits!
"Two days before Christmas, Wolfgang W
chosen by the children to go to Hambugh, to 81
their baskets. Gertrude gave him particular
structions about a basket, which she had WOW
With great care. SIS it not pretty = said she, Il
ming It round with delight 81 want it TO sell we
lshall give every penny to Christ-child, for chill