The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1851-11-18
THE WISDOM OF EXPERIENCE
A Lesson For Mothers.
BY SUSAN W. JEwETT.

BY SUSAN w. JEwETT.
"Why don't you whip that child?" said to
friend OF mine, after having been for some
time an impatient spectator of a scene between
herself and lille girl, in an exceedingly irrita
BILE condition. "If she was my child!"-
"Well. what would yoH do asked my friend.
with that peculiar smile that matrons so often
assume in discussing certain matters Of disci-
pline with old maids.
"Why, this is what | would dn--gve tire
child sound whipping. | have no idea of the
coaxiog system. Children must he made TO
mind at the instant they are spoken to-
al agree with you," replied my friend
"Clidren must be taught obedience; but we
cao not complete a child, who is irritable and
out OF hunor, 10 he sweet. tempered and agree
able on the instant we desire H. We should
certainly grant them the same indulgence. we
ask Tor ourselves. | often preceive that a lit
tie indulgence, little nursing OF the sick soul,
is the most safe and effectual remedy for these
occasional bursts Of temper"
81 doubt, indeed continued my friend, az
ter she had succeeded in pacifyng the child
by sending her into the garden To gather a
bouquet Of f,esh honts, ''if any one can strike
a child in cold blood. Give passion time TO
cocI, and reason suge ests some more appropri-
ate punishment. We are all Of us victims
occasionally TO moods which may make us
dissgreeahle to our friends. The conscious
ness oi this defect in our own physical and
mental organization ought 10 make us chari-
table TO others; particularly TO hule children
the creatures OF impulse, depend upon us for
sympathy and direction. / have often felt
heart-sck, as have walked along our city
streets. TO observe the harshuess and cruelty
with which little children are treated by those
who have charge over them. We see the ef-
fects reproduced in their theatment OF each
other.
''lt was only aday or two since, thai, passing
along Vslreei, ] saw young woman come
out OF shop, apparently on an eraud. Her
title boy, child Of three years old. set out 10
follow her, and she drove him back harsbly.-
lie persisted and she gave him blow on the
side Of his face. bidding him 90 back. The
grief--for it was grief, knew by his agonized
expression Of countenance--of seeing her go
away outweghed his sense Of physical suffer
ing, and he still followed after her. She came
back again. i saw her face. She stuck him
blow after blow. and shook him!--iny head
reels now. even while recall tho violence Of
her mOveme ents--and, thrusiing him into the
house, shut the door. Not one word Of ex-
PLANTATION, not al attempt TO sooih him on her
path while he probably thought her gone from
him forever. My little child who was with
me- cung uemblingly 10 my side. AGer we
had passed, said she, in gieat excitement, Il
wish could kill that woman Such spirit
harshness aud injustice induce in a child.
81 know and feel the weight Of all the ex
cuses theses poor, care working, and oppressed
mothers can urge, who, wearied and ovenaskec
from day TO day, have no time for the cnlIiva-
ton of the gentle affections, This only makes
the subject more painful to contemplate. But
this opoIogy will not serve for me. who have
L. AZ. cI,lI .
you are not out Of patience, and can bear with
my egotism, will tell you circumstance of
my past life, which has been lesson for me;
and, although it has remained hitherto among
the records OF memory, sealed in silence within
my own breast, feel that by revealing il may
he OF service TO others; perhaps even 10 you,
in remodeling your theories Of education.
''l once had abesutiful, blue-eyed 5oy-my
first born. God knows how loved him! He
was a being full Of soul. full Of poetry. His
nature was so sensitive that look Of grief or
displeasure from those he loved was all that was
required to bring him TO his knees; yet, when
he was opposed with violence or impatience. it
Toused within him spirit OF rebellion that
nothing could sobdue. Let me tell you an
anecdote to illustrate bis extreme sensblity.-
When he was about year and a half old, we
were living as boarders, where there were seve-
raj young ladies, with all Of whom Willie was
great pet. Wherever he went he was received
with open arms. He lived in the sunshine of
smiles. One day, as we were seated 10 the
parlor, we heard his clear, joyous voice ap-
preaching. and suddenly determined thar, in
stead Of greeting him with caresses and endear-
meuts, as usual, we would all look grave, and
take no manner Of notice Of him when he en-
tered. He opened the door, and appeared be-
fore us, beaming with joy; his hands full Of
Aowero I'D uasiapd IF oil amid his
golden hair. He looked first at one and then
at another. and, as he looked, each one turned
from him with solemn 'countenance. The
smile faded from his lip The joyous expression
lied from his eye. as The sunshine vanishes
from pleasant landscape when the cloud shad |
ows sweep over it, and, hiDging down his ilow-
eis, he burst into perfect paroxism OF tears. |
We all rushed to him, and ptied and caressed |
him; but we could not bring back the Joyous
ness again. lie allowed himself to be soothed, |
but 1t was evident his mind welt with troubled |
earnestness on the dark mystery Of that awful |
presence which had oppressed him. Il was
foolish sport. Il pains mo now TO think, that. |
for mere thoughtless whim Of our own we |
had given an innocent, trusting child the pang
OF feeling himself a moment without sympathy; |
thus prematurely awakening the sorrow that is |
the bitterest drop in the cup OF human expert |
encc--disirust of Others.
But this is a DEPRESSION. Follow me, IL you
will, though another passage OF my Listory.-I
We had started upon jouroey The night
was stormy and dark in which we embarked 90
hoard q steamboat bound for -. We were
obliged TO GO at once TO our berths in couse-
quencc Of the storm. Tho nurse had with |
me was incapable, from sickness, OF rendering |
me any assistance. and the care OF an infant and
my litlc Willie devolvcd upon me. After VIII !
lie was dcpositc ed in his hegth I ,vas comneIed /
the boat being crowded, 10 lie on the floor wit |
my little girl.
The creaking and groaning OF the iimbers,