The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1846-12-26

in his behavior the boy grew more and more
needless. Mr. Burton rarely said anything TO
Harry about his unruly manner, but when he
did, word was enough. That word was al
ways mildly yet firmly spoken. He did not
think him bad boy or difficult 10 manage
at least he had never found him So
Il wish knew what to do with that child
said Mrs. Burton, after the little fellow had
been sent to bed an hour before his time, in
consequence of some violation of lawSorder;
'he makes me feel unhappy all the while.
dislike always to he scolding him, but what
can do? III did not curb him in some way
there would be no living with him. ] am a.
ffaid he will cause us world oftrouble."
Mr. Burton sat silent. He wanted TO say
word on the subject, but he feared that its eff
feet might not be what he desired.
Il wish you would advise me what TO do,
Mr. Burton his wife said little petlIlently.
'You sit and don't say single word, as if you
had no kindlofinterest in the matter. What
am to do? have exhausted all my resour-
ces, and feel completely at loss
There is n way which, if you would adopt,
! think might do great deal of good
Mr. Burton spoke with n slight appear
ance of hesitation. Ifyon would speak gent
w TO Harry, am sure you would be able 10
manage him better than you do
slant; she felt the reproof deeply; her self-es-
TEEN was severely wounded.
Speak gently, indeedp she replied. q
might as well speak to the wind; am scarce
ly able to be heard at the top ofmy voice.
Mr. Burton never commended with his wife.
She would have felt better sometimes if he
done so, for then she could have excused her.
selfa little. His words were few, mildly
spoken, and always remembered. He had
expected some such effect from his sugges-
ton ola remedy in the case ofIIarry,and was
not, therefore, at all surprised at the ebuition
it produced. On its subsistence he believed
her mind would be more transparent than be-
fore, and so il 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 laboring, her feelings IN a little while
quoted down and her thoughts became ac-
tive. The words speak gently were con-
stautly in her mind and there was reproving
import in them. On going to bed that night
she could not 90 to sleep for several hours;
her mind was too busly engaged in review
ing 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 annoyed at trfles
which ought to have been overlooked
| Il am afraid have beeu unjust TO my child
she sighed over and over again, turning rest
lessly upon her pillow.
At length she fell asleep and dreamed u
bout Harry. She saw him lying on his bed,
sick and apparently near to death, his pure
| round cheeks, where health had strewed her
| glowing blossoms, were pale and sunken;hls
eyes were hollow the weary lids had closed
over them-he lay in n deep sleep. Mourn
fully she stood by his side and looked upon
him in bitterness of spirit. Sadly she re-
membered the days past in which she. had
spoken in harsh and angry tones 10 her Fboy
when kinder words would have been far bet
ter In the anguish other soul, bowed down
by sorrow and rcproving conscience, she
wept.
| When she looked up she saw that change
had come over the beloved sleeper; the glow
of health was upon his cheek, and every vein
seemed bounding with life and health, but
| he slumbered still. She was abont rousing
| him, when hand was laid upon hers; she
turned-a mild face full of goodness as the
| face ofan angel, looked into her own. She
knew the face and the form. but could not
callthe stranger by name. With finger up
on herlip, and her eyes cast first upon the
sleeping boy and then upon the mother, the
visitor said, in low, earnest, but sweet voice
speak gently
he WOEUS SGIll IL hllIIll
of Mrs Burton and she awoke. Many earn
est thoughts and self reproaches kept her a.
wake for long time; but she slept again
and more quietly until morning.
The impression made by her husbands re-
proof her own sober reflections and the
dream. was deep. Earnest were the resolu-
tons she made to deal more gently with her
hayward boy-to make love rule instead of
anger. The evils against which she had
been contending so powerfully for years she
saw to be in herself while she had been fight
ing them as if in her generous-minded but
badly governed child.
Il will try to do BETTER she said to herself,
rs she arose, feeling but little refreshed from
sleep. Before she was ready to leave her
room she heard Harry's voice calling her
from the next chamber, where he slept
! The tones were fretfiIl; he wanted some at
tendance, and was crying out for it in man.
ner that instantly disturbed the even surface
of the mothers feelings. She was about
telling him angrily to be quiet until she could
finish dressing herself, when the wordsspeak
gently seemed whispered her eur. Their
effect was magical-the mothers spirit was
subdued.
Il aciu speak gently she murnlured, and
went in to Harry, who was still crying ou
fretfully.
'tWhat do you want, my sonp she said in {
quiet kind voice.
The boy looked up with surprise; his eye
frightened, and the whole expression OF his
face changed in an instant.
Il can't find nay stockings,mamma, he SAID
There they are, under the bureau, return
ed Mrs. Burton, as gently as she had spoken
'Oh, yes, so they are cheeriuily rePiied
Harry; Il couldn't see them nowhere
'Did YOU think crying would bring themT
This was said with smile and in tone