The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-11-18

| distant home we were bound, ill the cham ber
maid called 10 him in harsh voice. To be still
This was something Of damper for a few mo-
men,s, but his heart was too full for silence
and again his clear, bid.lke voice arose amid
the wi,dness OF the storm, like the music Of a
bird above the roar Of cataract. Alas. 10 my
| fear for our safety, had no heart 10 respond.
"Buf, by and by, he became sick. aud his
mirth died away by degrees, ill at length he
began to cry bitterly Cor me to come aud lie
beside him. | thought at the momen, II was
impossible 10 do so; therefore refused. tel ling
him 10 be still, and be good boy. Tie begged
imporunalely. | had began Dy thinking il
impossible TO crafty him; consequently, ie.t
il my duty TO exact obedience' His cries dis
| turbed our fellow passengers; and again the
chambefmaid, in an angry voice, endeavored 10
silence him In my Rervousy excited state
persuaded myself il was absolutely necessary
that he should be compelled TO obey me. 10
proportion to my own, saw his sxciiemen, in
crease. He would not be still, and punished
him. | thought at the moment il was The only
thing to do; bat il had no effect. / repeated
the punishment, each time becoming more aud
more under the influence Of passion--not tenn
per; was not angry with him, but desperately
determined not 10 yield. aud 10 conquer at all
haza,ds. lie would not cease 10 cry for me.
He stretched his arms toward me; but, exhaust
ed with my efforts, left him, and laid down
beside my baby. All my maternal tenderness
seemed FOR the time to have abandoned me-
The roar Of the storm without was nothing
compared with the tempest in my own breast.
Suddenly still small voice sounded above the
storm. Forbeari What are you doing -
The tumult Of passion ebbet aud died away
and the yearnings Of a mothers nature awoke
in the depths Of my soul. Reason asserted her
L ,baf baI ,h ht ~,
sary, even at first, 10 use harsbness, without
having tiled gentleness and persuasion. saw
no reason why, now that was convicted Of in-
Justice. that should persist in it. obeyed my
impulse. stole gently to his side; he put his
tiny hands on my face. and.nested clpse to me.
His bosom heaved with sobs; but | was near
him and he was now happy. PIllowed on my
bosom, he had no sorrow, no bitter remeinb-
rarce. After few mo ments, said 10 him.
Willie, shall leave sister alone on the fioorl
She is crying for mama. He upclasped his
arms and bade me GO to her, pressing on my
lips his sweet. good night kiss. In few mo
mens he was asleep. Not so gently did peace
descend into my spirit What had just done
might have been done at first. and then all his
grief all my remorse, might have been spared.
| saw thatmy harshuess and violence had been
unnecessary. A monetary indulgence, an ap-
peal 10 his affections, would have been all that
was wanting.
This little incident may seem Of Sigh mo-
meht TO you. To me il is Of mighty import
Had God spared TO me my lovely boy, the mem
ofy Of that hour might have passed over, as
many other memories do, without leaving any
lasting impression; but, in few weeks from
tha, time he was taken from me. had 90 time
10 repair the r'istakes Of that night in our in
terc curse with each other. Sweet child -
When ritably, unjust requirements, and unne-
cessary severity blind my reasoo, his image
forever rises before me- his heart. breaking soy
row and fear. his beautiful forgiveness, his co.,
fdiog love, and the angry impulse within me is
checked and subdued
my friend. who would not so ac, and live,
in their intercourse with others, as 10 spare
themselves the bitterness of uravailing regrell
IL my children live. / wish the recollection Of
their childhood to be sweet and holy: if they
die, wish for this solace, at least. in my loss,
that by unkindnoss, injustice, or severity, have
not darkened the sunshine of their brief life on
earth. Were now to stand face to face with
my angel boy in the presence Of one common
Father, there would still hang a shadow over
my soul, till | had confessed the fault although
heard his blessed lips say, Mother, it was
forgiven"
tried TO make excuses for my friend, such
as we are oil ready TO make for ourselves, on
the score OF poor, weak human nature; but
have never ventured 10 dictate again, or to
question her judgment with regard to the
Of children. Ga the contrary, |
went home determined TO let tchipping be the
last resort, instead Of the first act TO compel
obedience; and am willing to confess, that old
maids may learn something from mothers, after
Pill, about the best method OF education.