The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-09-16
5eleftc0.
SPEAK GENTLY.
A Sketch for Mothers.

Speak gently Let not harsh words mar
The good We might do here"
CT am entirely at loss to know wba
to do with that boy" said Mrs. Burtol
! to her husband with much concern ol
her face, and in an anxious tone of voice
l never yield to his imperious temper
l never indulge him in anything;
think about him and care about him al
the time, but see no good results"
| While Mrs Burton was speaking, (
bright, active boy, eight years of age
came dashing into the room, and, with
out needing any one, commenced beat
ing with two large sticks against one o
the window sills, and making deafen
ing noise. '
"Incorrigible boy ~ exclaimed Iii
mother, going quickly up to him am
jerking the sticks out of his hand
Can't lea, n you neither manners no
decencyi l have told you hundred
times that when you come into room
where any one is sitting you must be
quiet. Go up stairs this moment, and
don't you let me see your face for an
hour %
The boy became sulky in an instant
and stood where he was, pointing sadly
Did you hear what l said ! Go W
stairs this moment J" r
Mrs. Burton spoke in very angry
tone, a. d looked quite as angry as sh'
spoke.
Slowly moved the boy towards the
door, scowl darkening his face, tha
was but a nsoment before so bright and
cheerful His steps were too deliberate
for the Over-excited feelings of the
mother; she sprang towards him, and
seizing him by the arm pushed him from
the room and closed the door loudly after
him. +'
81 declare / am out of all heart y
she exclaimed, sinking down upon a
chair. I" 1t is line upon line and pre-
cept upon precept, but all to no good
purpose. That boy will break my heart
yeti"
Mr.. Burton said nothing, but he saw
plainly enough that it was not all the
child's fault. He doubted the use OF
com NJ out and saying this unequivocally
although he had often aud often beer
on the point of doing so, iuvoluutarily
He knew the temper of his wife SO well
and her peculiar sensi,iveness about
everything that looked lie charging any
fault upon herself, that he feared more
harm than good would result from an
attempt on his part to show her that she
was much more than half to blame fol
the boys pervcrseness of temper.
Once or twice the little fellow showed
himself at the door, but was driver
back with harsh words until the hour
for tea arrived. The sound of the tea
bell caused an instant oblivion of all tn,
disagreeable impressions made on hi
mind. His little feet answered til,
welcome summons with clatter tha
stunned the ears of his mother.
"Go back, sir ~ she said sternly, a:
be burst open the dining-room door an,
sent it swinging with loud conclusion
against the wall, and see if you can
walk down stairs more like boy than
horse"
Master Harry withdrew, pouting ou
his rosy lips to the distance of'full half al
inch. He went up one flight OF Stair
and then returned. aru.
$50 to the third story where you frs
started from and come down quietly al
the way, ,.er you shall not have mouth
ful Of supper"
CT don't want to-" whined the boy.
"Go up, 1 tell you, this instant, or
will send you to-bed without anythin!
to eat"
This was a threat that former ex
pcrience had taught him might be ex.
ecuted, and so he deemed it better I,
submit than to pay too dearly for havin,
his own way. The distance to the thirt
story was made in few springs, ant
then he came pattering down as lightly
and took his place at the table quickly
but silently. u-.
There-there not too fast you'v,
got plenty too eat, and time enough tc
eat il in.''
Harry settled himself down to tn,
table as quietly as his mercurial spirit
IL Il h