Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-06-26
Tbe GamtIp Ctrfle,
"Correct Thyselfw
FROM THE FRENCH.

Some years ago, there lived in the neighbor-
hood of Paris retired military officer of high
rank and large fortune. Possessed of many val
liable quaties-brave, just and honorable, there
were two sad drawbacks upon his characterize
was violent tempered and avaricious. He mar
ried beautiful and gentle girl, whom he fondly
loved, but who, nevertheless, often sought her
chamber, weeping bitterly at the harsh and un-
just reproaches which her husband heaped on
her when the merest trife had excited his un-
governed temper. Often, indeed she felt terri
fed lest his violence should be more than verb
al; and although his fits of rage were regular
ly followed by penitent apologies, she trembled
at the thought that he might some day forget
himself so far as to strike her.
It was very sad to see the happiness of un-
ion formed under the most promising auspices
thus destroyed by brutal and unmeaning fits of
rage, which each day became more frequent.--
1t required all the young wife's tenderness and
fidelity to sustain her beneath the constant grief
and terror which she felt. One day when the
husband, in the presence of several vslters, had
given away to a more than usually outrageous
explosion of temper, he retired to his own apart
ment, whittier he was followed by one of his
friends-a true friend, who never shrank from
administering faithful reproof. Without re-
garding the officers anger, the dying embers
of which still glowed fiercely, this friend earn
estly and severely lectured him for his unkinC
and unjust conduct, The culprit listened with a
gloomy air, and replied:
"Your reproaches are perfectly just con
demn my own conduct far more strongly thai
YOU can do, and make many resolutions o
amendment, but without avail. My unhappy
temper is too strong for me; and constantly in
few hours after the bitterest repentance, flint
myself again breaking out"
"'Tis terrible "
"Itis, indeed"
81 have need of strong lesson, and sha
give myself one"
So saying he took several turns up and dow
the room, pacing with a determined step, hi
eyes bent on the ground, and his lips hrml
closed. Suddenly he stopped, opened caskt
which lay in his desk, and took from it ban
note of thousand francs. His friend watche
him with curiosity not knowing what he wa
about to do. He twisted the bank note, appli
ed one end of it to lighted taper, and the
throwing it on the hearthstone, watched till tn
curling fame had devoured the light aud pre-
cious paper.
His friend, amazed at an action which woul
seem strange for any one, but especially for on
whose parsimony was notorious, ran to him, an
caught his arm.
Let me alone !" said the officer in hoari
voice.
"Are you mod?"
"No"
"Do you know what you have done ?"
81 do: have punished myself"
When no trace of the note remained save
little light dust, the hero, for so we may call h
added hrnly
"I soemnly vow that, whenever lose +
temper; Will lnulCI punishment Oh my lofC
money"
81 admire your conduct, and approve of "
sacrifice" said his friend.
The promise was faithfully kept. From Il
time the avarcious man paid for the faults of
ill lltempered husband.
After every outbreak, he appeared before
own tribunal and submitted to its self-mpo
penalty. The condemned culprit then opel
the casket, and pale and trembling with suppr
sed agitation, took out note and burned it
The expiation was always in proportion
the crime there was u regular scale OF pei
ties, varying, according to the nature of the
fence, from 100 to 1000 francs"
A few of these chastisements had the hal
est effect OH both the defective phases of
heros character. By degrees he became
only mild and good tempered, but generous,
ready to dispense his treasures in ways VIII
if more agreeable to his friends, could not, h
ever. be esteemed more useful to himself
the notes which he had bravoly consigne
the flames.