The northern galaxy. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1844-1848, 1847-01-05
MISCELLANEOUS.
From the Lady's Book.l
SPEAK GENTLY.
BY 7. S. ARTHU
(Coucluded.)

TcpTOOl, Her own SOBER renectlonS and the
dream, was deep. Earnest were the reso
nlions she made TO deal more gently with
her hayward boy-to make love rule in
stead of anger. rheevils tgainst which she
had been contending so powerfully for years
she saw 10 be in herself, while she had been
hghilng them as if in hel generous minded
but badly governed child
1 will try 10 do better she said to her
sell, as she arose, feeling but little refreshed
from sleep Before she was ready TO leave
her room she heard Harry voice calling out
10 her from the next chamber. where he
Sept.-The tones were lrellul he wanted
someatendaHce, he was crying Out fer il in
manner that instantly disturbed the even
surface Of the mothers feelings. She was
about telling him angriIv 10 be quiet until
she could finish dressing herself, when The
words speak gently seemed whispered in
her ear. Their effect was magical-the
mothers spirit was subGucd
i WILL speak gently she murmured, and
went in 10 Harry, who was still crying out
ircifu!Iy.
What do you want, my son p she said in
ii quiet. kind voice
The buy lookck up with surprise his ev,
5rghrened. and the whole tx preston Of hi
face changed in AN inst; M.
i can't fad my ST ,cking., uamn,a.' he
said.
There they are, under The bureau re-
turned Mrs. Burton, as gently rs she had
lissI spoken.
oh, yes. so they are,' bhecrluly replied
Harry; i couldn't see them nowhere.
Did you think c.ying would bring them
TO your
This was said with a smile and in n tone
50 unlike his mother, that the child looked
up again into her :ace with surprise that
was. Mrs Burton plainly saw, mingled will.
pleasure.
Do you want anything else I? she asked
No mamma-' he rel lied cheelluIIy. 4 can
dress .lyseIfnow'
This little effort WAS crowned with In,
most encouraging results 10 the mother she
ielt deep peace settling in her bosom, the
consciousness OF having gained a true victo-
ry over the perversc tendencies of beth her
own and The heart Other boy. Ii was a 1T
tie act, but II was the first fruits, and The
gathering even of so small a harvest was
sweet 10 her spirit.
Al the breakfast table the usua! scene was
about being enacted, when sneak gently
coming into her mind prevented its occur
renee. II seemed almost mystery 10 hei
the effect of words gently spoken on one
who had scarcely needed her most positive
and an2riIy uttered reprools and iiumc'ions
Although Harry was not So orderly in his
behavior 81 the table as his mother cnuIi
have wiSl.c !, yet he did much heIier than
usual. Land seemed really 10 desire 10 do what
was right. For nearly The whole of thai
dly Mrs. Burton WAS able 10 control hcrsrl.
and speak gently 10 her boy, hut toward.
evening she became lrefiul again for som,
reason or other. From the instant rhi>
change naLe Itself apparent she lost i
sweet Influence she had been able To cxer
Use over The mind o! her child. He no Ion
ger hceded her words. and she could ne
longer feel c'im in spirit when he shnw Ell
Pcrversc and evil iempcrS. Wien nnIi
closed ~. TIC ASPECT OF affairs was hutiiiIlt
different from iliai of any preceding day.
Heavy waS The heart of Mrs. Gurinn whcr
she sought Ter pillow, and The incidents ami
feelings Of HE day Game up in review before
her mind In The m0inr g lIer hta art WAS
calm and her perceptions clear; she SAW her
duty plainly and Felt wiling tn walk in il
| pleasant paths. instrcnding these she had
| experienced an internal delight unknown be
fore but ere The day had passed. old habits
Sirnng from frequent Indulgence. returned,
anu CliCNiS IOlUWeu us al natural COu
sequence.
As she lay for more than an hour resol
vng and re- resolving Ia dc heller. the face OF
Harry often came up hrlnrc her. Particular
ly did she remember lis peculiar expression
wicn she spoke kindly Instead of harshly re-
pro, ny him lnr acts Of rudrnrss or disobe-
dienre. A these times she was conscious of
possessing real power over him this she
I.lt 81 Il,
due his stubborn will.
On awakening in The morning her mind
was renewed, all passion had sunk INTO qui
scence; she could see her duty and ielt Wi
ling 10 perform ii. Harry, loo. awoke As
usual and that was in freliul, cap,ious
mood butihis ripping OF the surface OF his
feelings all subsidized wheH the voice of his
mother in words gently spoken fell soothing
ly upon his ear. He even went SD far as 10
put his arms around her neck and kiss hen
saying as he did so-'Tndeed, mamma. will
be good bov.'
For The 1rst time IN many months the
breakfast hour was Pleasant 10 all. Harry
never once inter rupled The conversation that
passed at intervals between his father and
mother. When he asked Cor anything il was
in a way pleasing To all. Once or twice
Mrs. Burton found it necessary 10 correct
some lille fault of manner, hut The way in
which she did it, not in The least disturbed
me chlld's temper, and instead ofnot SEEM
ing TO heat her words as had almost always
been the case, he regarded all she said and
tried 10 dc as she wished.
lhere Is wonderful power in gentle
words remarked Mr. Burton to-his wife al
Ter Harry had left the liable
Yes, wonderful indeed ,be;r oeo.,
prises me-
Love is strong
$50 il seems-stronger than any other in
fuence that we can bring to bear upon a bu-
man being
'Whether that being be child or full
grown man,
True, without doubt; but how hard
thing IL is for us to control ourselves that the
sphere Of all our actions shall be full of love-
Alb, me the love theory is beautiful one,
but who OF US can always practice it For
me. confess that cannot
Motor the sake Of your children?
For their sake would make almost any
sacrifice, would deny myself every comfort