Herald of the times, and Rhode Islander. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1846-1849, 1846-11-25

IL yesterday, IL was next W lhP"rSO't
tor me to keep Edgar away from those
children, and now he cares nothing n
bout them. II seems as If all their moods
and ielnpers were ever IN direct opposl-
IItion To your wishes or feelings Yesler-
day, did not want him To 60 into The
street and then nothing else would
sui, him. To-day, | would rather he
would amuse himself with the children
hut he chooses 10 st moping at the door.
1t requires a great deal of patience Ia
get along with children much more
than l possess.
/ did not assen, to the last part OF the
sentence uttered, although, from all ]
had seen, was very well satisfied ol
It's truth.
\ Il have 40 doubt, made answer,
| 'hat II is one Of the most difficult things
IN The world 10 understand The DISPOSE
tons and feelings OF children, and so to
| act as no, lo do violence TO what il good
IN them. Their varied moods and ten
pers are not always mere impulses; they
depend upon, wba, we would consider
# we knew all, nd, quate causes. Sub
Ject as they are entrely TO o'hers-pos-
sessing no abstract freedom Of their own
- they must he Co. slautly meeting with
checks and dIsappOniments. We know
how little able we are To encounter
such things without distUl bance although
our reason is ma,ured and we can un-
dersrand causes and although much
experience ~ liie has tended TO sober
our feelings and give Us some support in
"A rational philosophy. Reilecting thus,
We ought not to be surprised at any thing
We see IN children ; but should rather
seek 10 understand the reason why they
are at any time disturbed
, But suppose, as was the case with
IRE to-day you are not able to draw from
How are you To act Z
i am not able to answer that question:
replied, smiling. circumstances al
WAYS alter cases
1 1T is very easy 10 theorize--one of
the easiest things IN the world. But 1t
Is quite anolber thing to pructIce.'
TO this remark had no,hing to say.
tacltIy admitted lt5 truth. AT the same
time | could no, help feeling that The
practice OF some people might be better
than It was by great deal.
Come up stairs and see me, Edgar,
said to the boy, after | had changed
the subject of conversation with his mo-
lher, aud chalted with her little while
lnnger.
The child arose quickly, and walked
by my side up stairs, and into the cham
ber | occupied. Aud although did not
mean that 1t should be so, yet ! saw,
from Edgar's manner, that my voice
had betrayed the secret that had some
thing for him. | had no opportunity,
therefore, for surprising him.
Il have got little present for you,
Edgar | said, drawing forth small
package enclosed in paper.
what is 1t paint box ? eagerly |
asked the little fellow, his face brghten-
ing.
'Yes, paint box DO you like it =
had by this time taken off the en-
veIope, and displayed the box. really
though, the sight Of it would set the child \
wild with delight. He seized it in his
hands and fairly huggedit ii. Then draw
ing off the lid, he counted over each
paint, and handled and tried the brushes. Il
Let me 90 and show it to mother, /
he said, aud away he ran, crying to his
mother that ] had given him box of
paints.
'Arlcss, innocent childhood = | |
could not he p saying-'how brief is thy
Of wrong"
His mother had punished him be-
cause he had cried lrom the severity OF
his disappointment IN not getting his ex-
pected box of paints bot this was all
forgotten now. Il
Alter the boy was shown 10 his mo-
iher, Edgar went into tho dining room
10 palut, and we saw and heard no more
ni him until tea-lIme. When his ia
ber came home, Edgar was AS eager to
show his prize to hun as he had been
10 his mother. 1
The incidents Of the day made me
houg ghtiul. ] had always entertained
or my friend very high opinion f; and
lad especially esteemed him for his
goodness of heart and benevoence.-
But the circumstance have Just related
'aused doubling questions TO arise. Was
[ possible for man of true benevo-
ence to act towards his contidIng child
With culpablc indifference could I
rot reconcile my previous opinion with /.
he fac, tha, had just transplred, They \
we're at variance with each other.
The more though, about the matter,
he more ] felt disturbed.
Can it be possible = ! a, length asked
myself, rha' NV friend Is naturally a self +.
,h, bad hearted man, who takes upon
msclf, in common society, semblances
If virtue =
'No-no- this cannot be, WIS my
mental answer. Ills worst fnoh must
'e houghtIcssness.
On the mex, day | happened in al my
riend's store. Willis, ] sat reading
newspaper, and he was busy at his desk,
lutte girI, rather poorly clad, came IN,
nd said snmethiny to hIW ~ low ear