Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1851-06-26

count. 1t is outrageous that the whole
family should be kept in constant trouble
by you. Now, be on your guard T.
A moment or two Mr.. Green stood
frowning upon the boy, and then retired,
Scarcely had the sound Of the closing
street door, which marked the fact of
Mr.. Green's departure, ceased to echo
through the house. ere John began to act
as was his custom when his father was
out of the way. His mothers remon>
strances were Of no avail, and when she
finally compelled him to leave the table,
he obeyed with most provoking and in
soleDt manner,
All this would have been prevented if
Mr.. Green had taken from business Just
ten minutes, and copscientiously devoted
that time to the government of his way
ward boy, and the protection of the ia
mily from his annoyances.
On arriving at his store. Mr.. Green
found two or three customers therein. and
! but single clerk in attendance. He had
felt some doubts as to the correctness of
his conduc: in leaving home so abruptly
under the circumstances but the pre-
sence of these customers satisfied him
that he did right. Business, in his mind
: was paramount to every thing else; and
his highest duty to his family he felt to
be discharged VIXEN he was devoting him.
self most assiduonsly to the work Of pro-
curing them the means of external COM
fort, ease and luxury. Worldly well.
doing was cardinal virtue in his mind.
Mr.. Green was the gamer perhaps, Of
half dollar in the way Of profit on sales,
by being at bic store ten minutes earlier
than would have been the case had he
remained with his family until the COM
pletion of their morning meal. What
was lost to his boy by the opportunity
thus afforded for an indulgence in per-
verse and disobedient temper, it is hard
to say. Something was. undoubtedly,
lost-something, the valuation of which,
in dollars and cents, it would be difficult
to make.
Mrs. Green did not complain Of Johns
conduc' to his father at dinner time. She
was so often forced TO complain, that she
avoided the task whenever she felt justi-
fed in dong so; and that was. perhaps,
far too often. Mr. Green asked no ques-
ton; for he knew, by experience, to what
result such questians would lead, and he
was in no mood for unpleasant ntelli-
gence. So John escaped, as he had es-
capped hundreds of times before, and felt
encouraged to indulge his bad propensi-
ties at will, to his own injury and the an
noyance Of all around him.
IL Mr.. Green had no time in the morn
ing or through, the day to attend to his
children, the evening, one might think,
would afford opportunity for conference
with them, ~ supervision of their studies,
and - earnest inquiry into their conduct
and moral and Intellectual progress. But
such was not the case. Mr.. Green was
too much wearied with the occupation OF
the day to bear the annoyance of the
children; or bis thoughts were too busy
with business matters, or schemes. OF
profit, to attend to the thousand and one
questions they were ready to pour in up,
on him from all sides or, he had poll.
tical club to attend, an engagement with
some merchant for the discussion Of a
matter connected with trade. or felt obi
ged to be present at the meeting of SO,
ciety of which he was a member. So
he either left home Immediately after tea
or the children were sent to bed that HI
might have quiet evening for rest, blu
siness reflections, or the enjoyment of ;
new book.
Mr.. Green had so much to do and 81
much to think about, that he had no time
to attend to his children ; and this neg
lect was daily leaving upon them inefface
able impressions, that would, inevitably
mar the beauty of their after lives. Par
ticularly was this the case with John
Better off in the world was Mr.. Greer
becoming every day--better off as regard
ed money; but poorer in another sense
poor in respect to home affections and
! home treasure. His children were MOI
growing up to love him intensely. to con
fide in him implicitly, and to respect hin
as their father and friend. He had nc
time to attend to Them and rather pushed
them from than drew them towards hin
with the strong chords Of affection. II
} his wife he left their government, and sht
wal not equal to the task.
81 don't believe" said Mrs. Green
one day, "that John is learning much al
the school where he goes. l think you
ought to see after him little. He ne.
/ yer studies lesson at home."
"Mr. Eden has the reputation of be-
, ing one Of our very best teachers. Hi
school stands high" replied Mr.. Green
"That may all be-" said Mrs. Green
! Still / think YOU ought to know for your
sell. how John is getting along. One
thing I ann certain Of, he does not improve
| in good manners Nor good temper in the
least. And he is never in the house be-
tween school hours, except to get bis
meals. wish you would require him
to be at the store during the afternoons.