Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1846-08-13
$ elect Tales.
SPEAK GENTLY.
"Speak gently! 1t is better far
To rule by love than feaE
Speak gently! Let not harsh words mar
The GOOD we might do here.n
by T. S. ARTHUR.

ious tone of voice. never yield to his inpe
rious temper; I never indulge him in any thing
think about him and ere about him all the
time, but see no good results
While Mrs. Burton was speaking, bright,
active boy, eight years Of age, came dashng IN
to the room, and, without needing any one, com
menced beating with two large sticks against
one of the window stills and making deaienmg
noise
'Incorrigible boy,' exclaimed his mother, 60
ing quickly up to him and jerking the sticks out
of his hand. Can't learn you neither man
ners nor decency? have told you hundred
times that when you come into a room where
any one is sitting you must be quiet Go up
stairs this moment, and don't let me see your
face for an hour
The boy became sulky in an instant, and stood
where he was, pouting sadly
Did you hear what said! Go up stairs this
moment
Mrs Burton spoke in a very angry tone, and
looked quite as angry as she spoke.
Slowly moved the boy towards the door, Il
scowl darkening his face, that was moment be-
fore So bright and cheerful His steps were
too deliberate for the oyer-excitcd feelings Of the
mother; she sprang towards him, and Selling
him by the arm pushed him from the room and
closed the door loudly after him.
Il declare am out Of all heart she eXclaim-
ed, sinking down upon chair 1t is line up
on line and precept upon precept, but all to no
good purpose. That boy will break my heart
yet
Mr.. Burton said nothing but he saw plainly
enough that it was not all the chds fault. He
doubted the use of coming out aud saying this
unequivocaIly, although he had often and often
been on the point of doing so invountariIy.-
He knew the temper of bis wife so WELL and
her peculiar sensltlveness about every thing that
looked like charging any fault upon herself that
he feared more harm than good would esuIt from
an attempt on his part to show her that she was
much more than half to blame for the boys per-
verseness of temper.
Once or twice the little fellow showed himself
at the door, but was driven back with harsh
words until the hour for tea arrived The sound
of the tea"bell caused an instant oblivion of all
the disagreeable impressions made on his mind
His little feet ans yered the welcome summons
with clatter that stunned the ears of his moth
err.
Go back, sir she said sternly, as he burst
open the dining room door, and sent it swinging
with loud conclusion against the wall, 'and see
if you can't walk down stairs more like boy
than horse
Master Harry withdrew, pouting out his rosy
lips 20 the distance of full an inch. He went
up one flight of stairs and then returned.
60 up to the third story where you frs
started from and come down quietly all the
way, or you shall not have a mouthful of sup
per-
don't want to- whined the boy.
Go up, tell you, this instant or will send
you to bed without any thing to eat
This was threat that former experience hat
taught him might be executed and so he deemed
it better to submit than pay too dearly for hav
ing his own way. The distance to the thrc
story was made in few light springs and then
he came pattering down as lightly, and took hi:
place at the table quickly but silently
'There-there, not too fast; you've got plen,
ty to eat and time enough to eat it in
Harry settled himself down to the table as
quietly as his mercuriaI spirits would let him
and tried to wait until he was helped, but in
spite Of his efforts to do SO his hand went over
into the bread basket. A look from his mothe
caused him to drop the slice he had lifted; i
was not look in which there was much afec
ton. While waiting to be helped, his hand
were busy with his knife and fork, making
most unpleasant clatter
Put down your hands, harshy spoken, rem
edied this evil, or rather sent the active move
ment from the little fellows hands to his feet
that commenced a swinging motion, his heel
striking noisy against the chair.
Keep your feet still caused this to cease.
After one OF two more reproots, the boy wa
left to himself AS soon as he received his cuI
of tea he poured the entire contents into hi
saucer and then tried to lift it steadily to bis lips
In doing so he spilled one third of the content
upon the table-cloth.
A box on the ears and storm of angry word
rewarded this feat
Haven't told you over and over again, yo
incorrigbe bad boy, not to pour the whole G
Il
you have made with that clean ta6e-cloth
declare | am out of all manner of patienc
with you. Go away from the table this in
slant
Harry went crying away, not in anger, but i
grief. He had spilled his tea by accident Iii
mother had so many reproofs and injunctions t
make that the bearing of them all in mind wa
a thing impossible. As to pouring ont all
his tea at a time, he had no recollection of an
Introduction on that subject, although it had bee
made over and over again dozens of times.
little while he came creeping slowly back al
resumed his place at the table, his eyes upon h
mothers face. Mrs Burton was sorry that 81
had sent him away for what was only an acc
dent; she felt that she had hardly been Just
the thoughtless boy. She did not, therefore, o
ject to his coming back, but said. as he took h