Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1846-12-24

leans, and we ought 10 be brave like the Amcri-
cans. You have often said that we ought TO
have that nook in our cranberry pasture, and
that we should never have any peace with Mr.
Brown I'LL he gave it up. You know that whenev-
er we went TO pick cranberries we always got into
quarrel with the boys for il was very vexatious
to hear them say that you have no right TO any OF
the pasture, for that it was stolen from them in
short, father, think you ought 10 praise us for
what we have done. We have settled the difficulty
forever guess; for don't believe they will ven.
turc TO NEEDLE with US any more and you can
have the whole field If you will, for your own, and
upon your own terms"
Franks father was silent the most unprincipled
men will sometimes shudder when they see the
hateful form Of their own sins in their children
lie saw that by taking possession Of questionable
property he had taught his children to disregard
the rights of others that by approving Of the Mex
lean war he had given his boys lesson in inlus.
tice, meanness and cruelty aud he felt that any
censure from him would have no effect upon his
son. lie knew not what 10 say and was silent
Presently Captain John came in with various bruis-
es on his face, and Tom with his handkerchief TO
his mouth 10 hide his loss OF a tooth. They saw
their father looked dspleased, and were aware that
the afternoons story had been related TO him.
The mother of the boys, who had been silent do
father, now said
Boys, as your father is silent | must say to you
and 10 him what is in my mind, and what is very
painful for me to say. think your father was
very wrong in praisng such a wicked thing as the
war with Mexico think it is vile and indicative
beyond all words TO tell, and was gricyed TO my
soul from the first that your fathers political views
stood so in the way Of his seeing what was Just
aud noble. You have fairly acted out the prnci-
pie Of this war, which is robbery, falsehood, and
cruelty. You have, like the American Govern
ment been guilty Of tyranny, and avarice, and
meanness. You have used your superior powers
10 Cypress the weak, and rob those already poor
and iriendess. cannot but hope that your father
when he sees these principles acted out by his chill.
dren, will see how hateful they are, and be cured
Of his admiration Of the Mexican and OF all other
wars, and will never again rejoice at the success Of
the wckedness and death Of his fellow men. He
has known that disagreed with him, that thought
him wrong but should not have said this TO you
If did not think il a solemn duty which owe to
YOU to say what think about the crimes of our
Government and of your wickedness in commit
ing the same offence against your innocent and ex-
ceent neghbors, the Browns | shall never cease
10 entreat your father to give up the cranberry pas
ture TO Mr. Brown, who claims il as his own right
full property. | am ashamed Of my sons, that they
can commit robbery aud cruelty, and then boast Of
the act and talk of glory aud bravery. | mourn
that their father my husband should ever have Civ
en- his children occasion TO think for a moment that
such acts could meet with his appreciation
As she concluded, Mr.. Lucas, the abolitonist,
entered The poor Browns had sent for him, their
only friend, and had told him their grievances, and
asked his aid in this momen. of their need. Il APP
peared that the youngest of the boys who fell into
the ditch had disocaied his hip and injured him
self severely and was now great sufferer. They
were very poor, aud this was heavy calamity to
them. Mr.. Lucas after he related the fact, added,
could not believe that your sons intended SO Sc.
riousy to injure any one OF these poor boys, and
thought that il they knew all the pain and injury
they had done, they would never have the heart 10
commit such cruelty but their violations OF the
law Of right would have been just as great had no
serious injury followed. / could not believe, sir,
that you would approve of this cruel conduct oil
your sons, and thought you would wish TO make
what reparation it is possible to the poor Browns
The father of these boys, who had shown them.
selves such apt scholars in the art Of wrong-doing
had been looking steadiastly on the floor while Mr.
Lucas spoke he now broke the silence. H., said
he, only have been to blame; my boys have per
haps been too ready to learn evil, but have been
their teacher,-I, from whom they should have
LEANED only good but ] will do my best to rem
edy my fault. Had their mother always spoken tc
them and 10 me as she has to-day, her higher and
purcr moral sense would perhaps have taken hold
Of their minds aud my own before now. Her un
willingness to condemn their father has kept heI
silent she has loved me and my favor more thar
her children her sense OF right, or she would
have rebuked my conduct before now but the
words she has uttered shall not be in vain hence
forward will bid my boys learn justice and hu
maniiy from their mother, and that they may be in
duced to be good scholars, myself will be lear
ner with them. confess to-day | feel ashamed o
my politics, ashamed of my injustice
That very hour he went, with Mr. Lucas, TO Sc,
the poor little boy who was so much injured by hi
fall he promised to pay all the expenses of ply
stefan and nurse he begged the forgiveness of tn
little fellow and his parents for himself and sons
he gave up the right to the cranberry pasture which
he had obtained, by purchase, to MIR. Brown, as
compensation for the injury he and his sons ha'
done him.