Burlington hawk-eye. [volume] (Burlington, Iowa) 1845-185?, 1850-09-19
GOSSIP ABOUT CHILDREN

III. ana more appreciation OF the statements
and feelings OF children. When I read
some months since in telegraphic dis
patch to one Of our morning journals, from
Baltimore if remember rightly, of moth
er who in furnishing little boy for telling
le-which after all i, happened that he
did not tell-hit him with slight switch
over his temple and killed him Instantly.
a mere accident, of course, but dreadful
casualty, which drove reas on from the
unhappy mother--when ] read this
thought of what had occurred in nv own
sanctam only week 0, two before and
the lesson which | received was Il good
one, and will remain with me. NV little
boy, dark eyed, Ing, nious, and frank
hearted child as ever Observation-Disclosures.
perhaps, Il say it who ought not to say
h'-slill do say it-had been playing
about my table, on leaving which for a
moment, | found on my return that nv
long porc"pine- -qnill handed pen was gone.
| asked the little fellow what he had done
with it. After renewed search for it |
charged him in the face of his declaration
with having taken and n,islaid or los. il.
He looked me earnestly in the face, and
said
mo didn't take it, father"
l then took him in my lap, enlarged up
on the Nervousness Of telling an un.ruth
told him that did not care SO much about
the pen, and in short. by the manner in
which reasoned with him, almost offered
reward for confession-the reward be it
understood Ga dear one to him of standing
firm in his fathers love and regard. The
tears had sweled up into his eyes, and he
seemed about to tell me the whole truth
when my eye caught the end Of the pen
protruding from portfolio, where my
self had placed it, in returning a sheet Of
manuscript to one Of the compartments.
A this may seem a mere trifle to you-
and perhaps it is-yet | shall remember il
for long time.
But desire 10 narrate to you cir
cumstance whic appened in the family
OF friend and e>pondent of mine in
the city Of Boston, some ten years ago,
and the history Of which will commend
itself to the heart Of every father an moth
er who has any sympathy with or affection
for, their children, That it is entirely
true you may be well assured. | was
convinced oil this when | opened the let
ter from l.. II. B., which ANNOUNCED IT,
subsequently furnished me.
A few days before lie wrote he had
buried his eldest son, fine manly little
fellow, OF some eigh, years OF age, who
had never, he said, known a days Illness
until that which removed him hence 10
be here no more. His death occurred nn-
der circumstances which We're peculiar
ly painful to his parents. A younger bro
ther, delicate, sickly child from lis birth
The next in age to bin, had been down
for nearly fortnight with an epidemic
fever. In consequence Of the nature OF
the deceaSe, every precan'ion had been
adopted that prudence suggested. to guard
the other members of the family against.
it. But of this one, the fathers eldest, he
said he had little to fear, so rugged was
he, and so generally healthy. Still. howev-
er, he kept a vigilant eye upon him espec-
tally forbade his going into the pools and
docks near his school, which it was his
custom sometimes TO visit; for he was but
boy, and "boys will be boys,' and we
ought more Frequently TO think that it is
their nature to be. or all unnatural things
a reproach almost to childish frankneSs
and innocence, save me from 0y-H3aur
Bu' to the story.
One evening this unhappy father came
home, wearied with long days hard la
Dor & vexed at some little disappointment
which had soured his naturally kind dis
position, and rendered him peculiarly sus-
ceptible to the smallest annoyance. While
he was sitting by the fire in this unhappy
mood of mind, his wife entered the apart
ment and said /:
"Henry has just come in. and he is
covered from head, to foot with dock mud
and is as wet as a drowned rat.
"Where is he ~ asked the father, stern
ly.
"He is shivering over the kitchen fire.
He was afraid to come up here when the
girl told him you had come home.'
''Iell Jane to tell him TO come here
this instant"
Presently the poor boy entered, half
persisted with alright and cold. His ia
ther glanced at his sad plight, reprcached
him bitterly with his disobedience, spoke
of the punishment which awited him in
the morning, as a penalty of his offence,
and. in a harsh voice concluded with
Nov, sir, go to your bed.''
But, tather,' said the little fellow -
want to tell you--"
Not, a word sir; go to bed !"
Il only want to say, father, that---
With a peremp'ory stamp, and impera-
tive wave of his hand towards the door,
and irown upon his brow, did the father
without other speech, again close the door
Of explanation or eXpos:u!at!on.
When the boy had gone snppes!ess aud
sad to his bed, the father sat restless and
uneasy while his supper was being pre-
pared and a, tea-table ale but little. His
wife saw the real cause of his emotion,
and interposed the remark
IL think, my dear, you ought at least to
have heard what Henry had 10 say. My
heart ached for him when he turned away
with his eyes full OF tears. Henry is a
good boy after all, il he does sometimes
do wrong. He is a tender hearted, atiec-
tionate boy. He always was"
And thcrewithali the water stood in the