Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1852-05-10
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herel seid Q father TO his boy, speaking in
authority. The lad was at play. He
looked towards his father, and did not leave
4 his companions.
DO you .hear me, sir7' spoke the father
more sternly thanbe 3
/ With an unhappy face and reluctant
step, The boy left his play and approached
/ his parent. -
why do you creep along at snail's
1paceP said the latter angrily. Come
quickly, wheni want you. When speak
Hook to be- obeyed instantly. Here. take
this note 10 Mr. Smith, and see That you
don I go TO sleep by the way. Now run
as fast as YOU can go.
F The'boy took the note. There was a
cloud upon his brow. He moved away,
but! nj slow space zSss9
: You, Tom! IN that doing rs / orderedl
lis that going quickly p called the faier,
/ when he saw The boy creep away. .If you
are NOT back in half an hour will punish
lyou., .zS.=....s -
But the words had but little effect. The
boys feelings were hurt by the unkindness
tof The parent. Inexperienced sense OF
Injustice, consciousness that wrong had
been done him. By. nature he was like
his father, proud and stubborn; and these
qualities of his mind were aroused. and
he indu1ged in them, fearless of yconse-
quences.
never saw such boy, snid the father,
speaking to friend who had observed the
occurrence. My words scarcely made an
impression on him..
kind wordsolien prove most powerful ?
said the friend. -
The father looked surprised. s
kind words, continued the friend, are
like the gentle rain and refreshing dews;
but harsh words bend and break like the
angry tempest. They first develop and
strengthen good affections, while The other
sweeps over the hear. in devastation, and
mar and deform oil they touch. Try him
with kind words; they will prove hundred
fold more powerful : i-|ssss
The latter seemed hurt by the reproof,
butit left him thoughtful. An hour pass.
ed away ere bis son returned. AT times
during his absence he was angry at the de.
lay, and medilated The infection Of punish>
ment. But the words Of remonstrance
were in his ears, and he resolved to obey
them. A.last the lad came slowly in with
a cloudy counlenance, and reported the re-
suit Of his errand. Having STAYED far be.
yond his time, he looked for punishment,
and was prepared 10 receive it with an an.
gfy defiance. To his surprise, after de-.
liyering the message he had brought, his
father, instead Of angry reproof and pun.
ishment, said kindly, Very well, my son,
you can go and play again z.
The boy went Out, but was not happy.
He had disobeyed and disobli iged his father,
and the thought Of this troubled him.-
Harsh words had not clouded his mind nor
aroused spirit Of reckless anger. Instead
Of joining his companions, he went and sat
down by himself, grieving over his act Of
disobedience. Asshe thus sal, he heard his
name called. He listened
Thomas, my son. said the father kind
ly. The boy spraDg to his feet, and was
almost Instantly beside his parent.
Did you call, father?'
4 did, my son. Will you take this
package 10 Mr.Long for mel' zks4s
There was mo hesitation in the boys man.
ner. He looked pleased at the thought of
doing his father service, and reached
ou. his hand for the package. On receive
ing ii, he bounded away with a light step.
There is power in kindness said the
falher.sas he sat mustng after the lads de-
parture. And even while he sat musing
over the incident, the boy came back with
cheerful, happy face, and said
Can do anything else for you, father?'
Yes, there is power in kindness. The
tempest Of passion, can only subdue. con.
strain and break; but in love and gentleness
there is the power of the SUNNI ef rain, the
dew and the sunshine.