Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1851-04-08
miscellaneous.
I,M AFRAID.

elm afraid" said little boy, turning
back, with look Of alarm, from stately
OK tha, stood in the path along which his
father and himself we're walking.
why are you afraid, Harry" asked
Mr. Gray.
I'm afraid Of his horns. He's going
to hook me |" .9s
"No. be won't hurt you. Here take
this stick aud 60 and drive him off Of the
path" aa
20 mono. I'm afraid" And The
child chung to his fathers side.
Mr.. Gray was thoughtful man, and
man of sense. He understood well the
influence Of early states and impressions
on the mind and moral feelings in after
life. He knew that The character Of a
child needed great care in guiding il 10 q
right development, He knew that tenn
perance, fortitude and courage were csrdi-
nal virtues in the man. and that The seeds
OF these must be sown in the young mind,
il the germs were not already there.
"Did an OK ever hur you. Harry" he
calmly asked. d
mo SIR"
"Then what makes you afraid OF him.
"He looks as fhe would hook me-"
But | know tina, he will not do it,
Here, take my stick and drive him away"
Henry had been taught obedience. BY
the manner in which his father now spoke,
'he knew that he was really in earnest.
Indeed, papa, I'm afraid" urged the
timid boy looking up with quiyering lip
and an imploring eye.
Afraid! Ny little boy afraid - Mr..
Gray spoke as il he were greatly surpris-
ed. Il don't want my Harry to be afraid"
''Bu, | am afraid, papa. | know he
will hurt me with his horns. See how
he shakes his head. There. he is com.
ing! and he chung closer to his fathers
side, as the OK took one or two steps for
ward.
MY little boy is coward" This was
said by Mr.. Gray in voice expressive Of
sorrow and displeasure, mingled with
something of contempt. Its impression
was all be desired. The fear Of his IA
theirs displeasure and contempt Qhis last
word is rather too strong but it best ex.
presses the idea wished to be conveyed
became more active than mere bodily fear.
"No, I'm not coward" he said, draw
ing himself up. somewhat proudly, and
taking one step from his fathers side.
"Then take that cane and drive that OK
away from our path" He spoke with
some slernness.
Henry was still afraid, but moral fear
was more active than physicalt terror. He
hesiiated only for moment; then taking
his fathers cane, and lifting itin the air be
moved towards the stately beast. The OK
seemed disposed al first. to disregard the
threatening attitude Of the boy. He drop
ped his head, and shook it violenaly. -
Henry trembled, and looked back into the
face OF his father, but that face had not re-
Taxed muscle. He took one more step
forward, brandishing the cane. The OK
still remained firm but it was only for a
moment longer-quickly turning bis head
he started from the path, and ran of 10 a
distance.
Delighted 10 see SO large and strong a
beast run from him, Henry laughed and
shouted aloud.
Didn't I make him 60 fa,her,' he
cried, as he handed back the ean. IAN
| a coward :"
"No. not now. You are my brave lit.
lie boy" said Mr.. Gray with an encoura-
ging smile.
"rll drive all the oxen, wherever l
please, now, shan't ~
you can always drive them away when
they are in wrong places, But il would
be cruel 10 drive them about and worry
them when they are in the fields"
Alter walking along for short distances
another OK was seen standing in the path.
He was black, and bad 10 the eye Of
Henry. an angry. threatening look. His
fears returned, and he was about shrink
ing behind his father, when the thought
Of being called coward. re.inspired him.
Here, my son, drive that beas, away"
The boy could no longer hesitate. He
took the cane held out by his father, and
brAndishing i, in the air, ran towards the
OK. The animal did not seem al all in-
elined TO move. but dropped bis head, and
shook il sngrily. Henry started back,
and looked around a, his father.
Try again. Don't be afraid urged
Mr.. Gray.
Henry made another effort bu, with no