Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-01-18

an immortal soul. The infant did more for
them, than they for him. Angelic influen-
ces, unseen and unheard amid the hard
struggles of their outward life, became WIS.,
ible and audible through the unconscious
innocence of their little one. For the sec
ond time in his life, vision Of beauty and
love cleaned across the rugged path Of that
honest, aborous man. Vague impressions
of beauty lie had constantly received from
the great panorama of the universe. His
heart sometimes welcomed a bright flower
| in the sunshine, or a cluster of lilies on the
stream; he marveled at the splendor Of the
rainbow, and sometimes gazed reyerenty
at the sun sinking to rest in his rich drape-
ny of purple and gold But these were
glimpses of the Infinite; their beauty did
not seem to appertan to him; it did not en-
ter like a magic charm into the sphere of
! his own existence, as did the vision of Mary
! Williams and his own little Joe. The dor
mant tenderness there was in him leaped up
at the smile of his babe, and every pressure
of the little fingers made a dimpe in the
fathers heart. Like the outbursts offspring
after long cold winter, was this revelation
of infancy to him. When he plodded home
after hard days work, it rested him body
aud soul to have the little one spring into
his arms for IL kiss, or come toddling along,
fitting his little porrnger of milk, in eager
ness to eat his supper on fathers knee
But though this new influence seemed to
have an almost miraculous power over his
nature, it could not quite subdue the power
of temperament and habit. AS the darling
babe grew into boyhood, he was sometimes
cherished with nludicious fondness, and
sometimes repealed by bursts of passion,
that made him run and hide himself from
the over indulgent father Mr.. Barker had
himself been educated under the dspensa-
ton of punishment, rather than attraction,
and he believed in it most firmly. If his
son committed fault he thought of no 9TH
er cure than severity. If neighbor did
HIM an i'll turn, he would observe, in pres
ence of the boy, "I'll watch my chance to
pay him for it," If the dog stole their din
ner, when they were at work in the woods,
he would say, Run after him, Joe, and
give the rascal sound beating" When he
saw the child fighting with some larger lad
who had offended him, he would praise his
strength and courage, and tell him never
TO put up with an insult He was not a.
ware that all these things were education,
and doing far more to form his sons char
acter than anything he learned at school, -
He did not know it, because his thoughts
had never been directed toward it. The
only moral instruction he received was from
the minister of the parish; and he usually
preached about the hard-heartedness of Jews
two thousand years ago. rather than the er-
: rors aud temptations of men and boys, who
sat before him
Once he received an admontion from his
nelghbor, Goodwin, which being novel and
unexpected offended him as an impertnent
interference with his rights. He was riding
home with Joe, then a lad of thirteen, when
the horse took fright at piece of white pa
per, that the wind blew across the road -
Mr.. Barker was previously in an i'll humor,
because sudden squall of rain had wet his
fine hay all ready for the barn. Pursuing the
system on which he had himself been edu-
Gated, he sprang to the ground and cudgel-
led the poor beast numerically. Mr.. Good
win, who was passing by, inquired the
cause of so much severity, and remonstra-
ted against it; assuring him that horse
was never cured of bad habits by violence
He spoke mildly, bat Mr. Barker was irri-
tated, and having told him to mind his own
business, he continued to whip the pool
frightened animal The humane neghbol
turned away, saying, "That is bad lessor
for your son, Mr.. Barker"
of you say much more, | will fog you
instead of the horsc,' muttered the angry
man. 1t isn't his horse. What bushes!
is it to him !"
: lie did not reflect in what a narrow cir
cult he was mailing up the sympathes o
bu 10,
/ when he was re-seated in the wagon, he dit
! not feel altogether pleased with himself, ant
=, his inward uneasiness was expended on tn
! horse. The poor bewildered animal, coy
D cred with foam, and breathing short ant
e hard, tried his utmost to do his master
y will, as far as he could understand it, Blu
, nervous and terrified, constantly in expecta
D tlons Of the whip, he started at every SOUND
;, If he went too fast, he was refined in with
e sudden jerk, that tore the corners of hi
$ mouth if he went too slow, the cruel crac
y of the whip made him tear over the groun
S to be again restrained by the violent jerk.
: The sun was setting, and threw radar
If glow on every tree and little shrub, jewelle
1t by the recent shower. Cows grazed peace
l. fully in verdant hollows, birds sang, a it'll
d brook ripped costly by the wayside, wind
| played gently with the flowers, and kisse
1t the rain-drops from their faces But a
o this loneliness passed unheeded by huma
e hearts, because they had at the moment II
e inward beauty to harmonize with nature
t, Perhaps the familiar landscape seemed quit
e otherwise to the poor horse, than it woul
d have done, had he travelled along thos
IF pleasant paths guided by wise and gent
is hand.
d. Had Joseph continued to be little Jo
e. his eager welcome and loving pratte migl
L. soon have tanned the evil spirit in his father
ID soul that night. But he las a tall lad, wi
-e had learned to double up his fists, and te
IN other boys they had better let him alone,
Or they knew what was good for themselves
o. He still loved his father better than an
h. thing else in the world, but the charm an
e. the power of infancy was gone. lie reAe
I'd ted back the vexed spirit like too faithii
in mirror. He was no longer a Transporter
er unconscious medium for the influence
err angels,
e. Indeed, paternal affection gradually b.
It, came hardening, rather than a soilenin
= influence. Ambition for his son increase