Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-08-30

| his is all weakness" SAID TO my
self, after my friend had left, making an eff
fort to throw off the uncomfortable feeling
But it was of no avail Even if the new
train of thought, awakened by conversation
with my friend, had lifted me above the
state of mind in which | was when she
came, the sight of James sober face, as she
| passed me on the stairs, would have de.
pressed my feelings again.
In order both to relieve my own and the
child's feelings, thought | would refer to
the broken tumbler, and tell her not to
greve herself about it, as its loss was of no
consequence whatever. But this would have
been to have made an acknowledgment to
her that had been in the wrong, and all
instructive feeling of pride demonstrated a.
ganst that.
"Ah mep sighed. "BYhy did per-
nit myself to speak so unguf ledy? How
stroy our peace How nash of good or
evil is there in single word!"
Some who read this may think thatI was
very week to let hasty uttered censure a.
gainst careless girl trouble me. What are
childs feelings?
have been a child and as child, have
been blamed severely by those whom | de-
sired to please, and felt that unkind words
fell heavier and more painfully, sometimes
than blows. / could, therefore, understand
the nature Of James feelings, and sympa-
thze with her to Il certain extent.
All through the day, Jane moved more
quietly than usual. When | spoke to her
about nythng-which l did in kinder
voice than | ordinarily used-she would
look into my face with an earnestness that
rebuked me.
Towards evening | sent her down stairs
for pitcher of cool water. She went
quickly, and soon returned with pitcher
and tumbler, on a waiter. She was COM
ing towards me, evidently using more than
ordinary caution, when her foot tripped a.
gainst something, and she tumbed forward.
1t was in vain she tried to save the pitcher.
Its balance was lost and it fell over and was
broken to pieces at my feet, the water dash
ing upon the skirts ofmy dress.
The poor child became instantly as pale
as ashes, and the frightened look that she
game me, shall not soon forget She tried
TO speak, and say that it was an accident.
but her tongue was paralyzed for moment,
and she found no utterance. The lesson |
had received i'll the morning, served me for
sell-control now, and | said instantly in
mild voice:
Never mind, Jane; l know you could
not help it. | must tack down the loose
edge of the carpet. | came near tripping
there myself to-day. Go and get floor
cloth and wipe up the water as quickly as
you can, while | gather up the broken
pieces"
The color came back instantly to James
lace She gave me one grateful look, and
then ran quickly away to do as | had d.
rected her. When she came back, she
blamed herself for not having been careful,
expressed sorrow for the accident, and
promised over and over again that she
would be more guarded in future.
The contrast between both of our feel
ings now, and what they were in the morn
ing, was very great felt happier for hay-
ing acted justly and with due selfcontrol,
aud my little girl, though troubled Oh ac-
count of the accident, had not the extra
burden Of my dispeasure to bear.
&C Better, far BETTER" | said to myself, as
sat and reflected upon the incidents last
related, better, far better is it, in all our
relations in life, to maintain calm exteri-
or, and on no account TO speak harshIy to
those who are below us. Angry words
make doable wounds. They hurt those to
whom they are addressed, while they leave
a sting behind them. Above ALL should
we guard against a moody temper, When
ever we permit any thing to fret cur minds,
we are not in state TO exercise due self
control, and if temptation comes then, we
are sure to fall."-LadieS' Wreath.