Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-08-13

wish | knew what to do WIN lhdl ChIlu,
said Mrs. Burton, after the little fellow had beer
sent to bed an hour before his time, in conse
ouence of some violation of law and order; 'hG
makes me feel unhappy all the while. dislike
TO be scoldinr him forever, but what can do
if | did not curb him in some way there would
be no living in the house with him. am afiac
he will cause us a world Of trouble
Mr.. Burton sat silent. He wanted to say a
word on the subject, but he feared that its effect
might not be what he desired.
Il wish you would advise me what to do, Mr.
Burton, said his wife, little petulentlY. You
sit and don't say single word as if you had ne
kind of interest in the matter. What am | to
do? have exhausted all my own resources, and
feel completely at loss
There is way which, if you would adopt,
think might do a great deal Of good Mr..
Barton spoke with slight appearance Of hesi-
taton. If you would speak gently to Harry,
| am sure you would be able to manage him far
better than you do
Mrs Burtons face was crimsoned in an in
stant she felt thereproof deeply; her self-esteem
was severely wounded.
Speak gently, ndeed!' she replied 4 might
as we'll speak to the wind; | am scarcely heard,
now, at the top Of my voice
Mr. Burton never contended with his wife,
She would have felt better sometimes if he had
done so, for then she could have excused her
self a little. His words were few, mildly spoken,
and always remembered He had expected some
such effect from his suggestion Of remedy in
the case Of Harry, and was not, therefore, at all
surprised at the ebuition it produced On its
subsistence he believed her mind would be more
transparent than before, and so it was.
As her husband did not argue the matter
with her nor say anything that was calculated to
keep up the excitement under which she was la
boring, her feelings in a little while quoted
down and her thoughts became active. The
words speak gently were constantly in her
mind, and there was a reproving import in them.
On going to bed that night she could not get to
sleep for several hours; her mind was too bust
Iy engaged in reviewing her conduct towards
her child. She clearly perceived that she had
too frequently suffered her mind to get excited
and angry, and that she was too often annoy
ed at trhes which ought to have been over
looked.
i am afraid have been unjust to my child,
she sighed over and over again, turning restless
ly upon her pillow.
At length she fell asleep and dreamed about
Harry. She saw him lying on his bed, sick
and apparently near to death; his pure, rounC
cheeks, where health had strewed her glowing
blossoms, were pale and sunken; his eys were hcl
low-the weary lids had closed over them-hc
lay in deep sleep MournluIly she stood by
his side and looked upon him in bitterness o
spirit Sadly she remembered the days past il
which she had spoken in harsh and angry tone
to her boy, when kinder words would have beef
far better. In the anguish of her soul, bowet
down by sorrow and reprovng conscience, she
wept
When she again looked up she saw that
change had come over the beloved sleeper; tn
glow of health was upon his cheek, and ever
vein seemed bounding with life and health, bu
he sumbered STILL She was about arousin!
him, when a hand was laid upon hers; she turn
ed--a mild face, full Of goodness as the face o
an angel, looked INTO her own. She knew the
face and form, but could not call the stranger b.
name With finger upon her lip, and her eye
cast first upon the sleeping boy, and then upoI
the mother the visitor said in low, earnest bu
sweet voice. Speak gently
The words sent thrill through the heart q
Mrs Burton, and she awoke. MANY earnes
thoughts and solEreproaches kept her awake 70
long time; but she slept again, and more qui
city until morning.
The impression made by her husbands re
! proof her own sober reflections and the dream
were deep. Earnest were the resolutions sh
made to deal more gently with her hayward bo
to make love rule instead of anger The evil
with which she had been contcnding so power
/ fully for years she saw to be in herself, Will
she had been fighting them as if in her generous
minded but badIy-governed child
Il will try to do BETTER she said TO herself
as she arose, feeling but little refreshed lror
sleep Before she was ready 10 leave her room
she heard lIarry's voice calling her from the mex
chamber where he slept The tones were fret
full; he wanted some attendance, and was cryin
out for it in a manner that instantly disturbe
the even surface of the mothers feelings. Sh
was about telling him angrily to be quiet unit
she could finish dressing herself, when the word.
speak gently seemed whispered in her ear
Their effect was magicaI-thc mothers spir
was subdued.
Il will speak gently she mrmured, an
+ went in to Harry, who was still crying out fret
fully.
What do you want my son. she said in
quiet, kind voice.
The boy looked up with surprise; his ey
Enlightened, and the whole expression of his fac
was changed in an instant
i can't find my stockings, mamma
said
There they are, under the bureau return
f ed Mrs. Burton, as gently as she had at fir
spoken.
', Oh yes, so they are, cheerGully replied LA