The daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1848-1851, 1850-11-30
The Power of Kindness. !.

"Tom Here % said a father to his boy sF3ak-
ing in tone of authority.
The lad was at play. He looked towards his
father, but did not leave his companion.
" Did you hear, sir ;" spoke the father, more
sternly than at first.
With an unhappy face and reluctant STEP the
boy left his play, and approached his parent.
why do you creep along at a snail's pace, said
me latter angrlly. Come quickly / want you.
When speak look TO b. 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 a cloud upon
his brow. He moved away at a slow pace.
g You Tom Is that doing as | ordered is that
going quickIy!" called the angry father, when he
saw the boy creeping away. " If you are not back
in half an hour, will punish you"
But the words had little effect. The boys feel
ings were hurt by the unkindness of his parent.
He experienced sense of injustice; a conscious
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 INDUCED
in them, fearless of consequences.
never saw such boy" said the father
speaking to a friend who had observed the occur,
rence-my words scarcely made an impression on
him -
g Kind words 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 Ike the angry tempest The
first develop and strengthen good affec tons while
the others sweep over the heart in devastation, and
mar and deiorm all that they touch. Try him with
kind words. They will prove all hundred fold
more powerful"
The father seemed hurt by this reproof But it
lett him thoughtful. An hour passed ere his boy
returned. At times during his absence he was
angry at the delay and medtated the infliction of
punishment. But the words of rernonstrance were
IN his ears and he resolved to obey them. At last
the lad came slowly in with clouded counten-
ance, and reported the result of his errand Hav-
ing stald far beyond his time he looked for punish
ment, and prepared to receive it in spirit of
angry defiance. 10 his surprise, after delivering
the message he had brought his father, instead Of
giving angry reproof and punishment said kindly
Very well, my You can now 60 to your
play again"
The boy went out, but was not happy. He had
dlsObeyed and disObged his father and the thoug bt
oft troubled him. Harsh words had not clouded
his mind, aroused spirit of reckless anger
Instead OF joining his companions he went and sat
down by himself grieving his act of disobe-
dLence. As he sat thus he heard his name called
He listened
Thomas, my son, said his father kindly The
boy sPrang to his feet and was almost instantly by
the slde OF his parent
did you call, father ?"
" did, my son. Will you take this package to
Mr.. Lsng for me ?"
Ihere was no hesitation IN the boys manner.
He looked pleased at the thought of doing his
father service reached out his hand for the pack
age. On receiving it, he bounded away with a
light step
There is a power in Kindness" unused the
father, after the lads departure. And even while
he sat musing over the incident the boy came
back, and with a cheerful, happy face, said
Can do any thing else for you, father 20
Yes, there is power in kindness. The tempest
Of passion only subdue, constrain and break
but in love and genteness there is a power of the
summer rain, the dew and the sunshine.