Fremont weekly freeman. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County, Ohio) 1850-1853, 1850-09-07
From the New York Organ.
The Power of Kindness.
BY FELIX.

BY FELIX.
"Tomi Here!" said father to his boy,
speaking in tones of authority.
The lad was at play. He looked towards
his father, but did not leave his companions.
"Do you hear sirI" spoke the father, more
sternly than at first
With an unhappy face and reluctant step
the boy left his play and approached his pa
rent
"Why do you creep along at snail's pace, .
said the latter angrily. "Come quicklyl
want you When speak look to be obeyed
instantly Here take this note to Mr. Smith,
and see that you don't go to sleep by the way.
Now run as fast as you can CO."
The boy took the note. There was cloud
upon his brow. He moved away,b at a slow
pace.
"You Tom! Is that doing as ordered Is
that going quickly called the father, when he
saw the boy creeping away. "If you are not
back in half an hour, will punish you"
But these words had little effect The boys
feelings were hurt by the unkindness Of the
parent He experienced sense of injustice
a consciousness that wrong had been done
him. By nature he was like his father proud
and stubborn; and these qualities of his mind
were aroused, and he indulged in them fearless
of consequences.
81 never saw such boy" said the father,
speaking to friend who had observed the oc-
curence. "My words scarcely made an i'm
preston on him.
"Kind words are often most powerful" said
the friend.
The father looked surprised.
"Kind words continued the friend, "are
like the gentle rain and refreshing dews; but
harsh words bend and break like the angry
tempest The first develop and strengthen
good affections, while the others sweep over
the heart in devastation, and mar and deform
all they touch. Try him with kind words
They will prove an hundred fold more power
full"
The father seemed hurt by this reproof;
but it left him thoughtful An hour passed
ere his boy returned At times during his
absence he was angry at the delay; and med
itated the infliction of punishment. But the
words of remonstrance were in his ears, and
he resolved to obey them. AT last the lad
came slowly in, with cloudy countenance
and reported the result of his errand. Hav-
ing staid far beyond his time, he looked for
punishment and was prepared to receive it in
a spirit of angry defiance. To his surprise, on
delivering the message he had brought, his
father instead of angry reproof, and punish
ment said kindly "very well, my son. You
can go to play again"
The boy went out but was not happy. He
had disobeyed and disobliged his father, and
the thought of this troubled him. Harsh words
had not clouded his mind nor aroused spirit
of reckless anger. Instead of joining his COM
panions he went and sat down by himself,
grieving over his act of disobedience. As he
sat thus he heard his name called. He lis
tenedl
Thomas my son." said his father kindly
The boy sprang to his feet and was almost in
stantly beside his parent.
did you call, father ?''
81 did my son. Will you take this package
to Mr.. Long for me?'
There was no hesitation in the boys man
ner. He looked pleasant at the thought of
doing his father service, and reached out his
hand for the package. On receiving it he
bounded away with light step.
"There is power in kindness" said the fa-
ther, as he sat musing after the lads depart
ure. And even while he sat musing over the
incident, the boy came back and with acheer-
full, happy face said,
"Can do anything else for you father ?"
Yes, there is power in kindness The tenn
pest of passion can only subdue, constrain and
break; but in love and gentlencss there is the
power of the summer rain, the dew and the
sunshine.