The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-11-17


time relieve yourself Of this care which
fear is wearing upon you. And then. yor
know, William is slender. ! don't think
he'll ever be able to work as hardas yor
have done." aais6I iS iaesi wrH 4
"IIe never will. if he is brought up tc
think he is too good TO work. ~, He has no.
tions in his head now that | fancy will dc
him no good. You have been over to
Norton's this afternoon. ! suppose his
wife advised you what was best for US to
do. Why, Betsey, can't you see through
it all! They have been and sold hall
their farm, and laid out the money in trees
and what all--and sent the boys to school
instead Of teaching them TO work, and she
wants us to dothe same. IIa! ha! misery
likes company. The long and the short
OF il is, Betsey, Mrs. Norton wanted to gel
rid of work. | wish they had sold the
whole concern and cleared out, for see
plainly you nor William can 60 over there
but it bewitches you. No-you will never
see me covering my land, or surrounding
my house with boughten trees. II had
time should like well enough to set out a
maple or something near the house.
should like one or two for the horses to
stand under, but haven't the time. neither
do think it best to encourage any such
notions in the boy. You know how it is
"if you give an inch they'll take an ell. "
He begged hard for US to dig up larch
this afternoon, but indulgence will spoil
any child. If had done that for him he
would only have wanted more, and if he
got too many such notions, why he is
headstrong, and the first we should know
he would be off like others we know Of
No, the only way to get along with chill
dren is to be strict, no arguing with them,
and no giving way to their foolish wants"
"Do you think it was indulgence that
made George White go to New York;"
~ don't know but what il might be, his
mother was dreadful careful Of him.
should like to know what It's makes boys
leave their fathers homes and farms and
60 off to the city and barely get their
board, it il isn't letting them have their
will and way"
81 have no doubt that over indulgence
begets self.will, and overcomes child's
sense of duty, SO that restraint is thrown
off, and parental obligation disregarded;
but husband, do believe one thing, and
that is, if we wish Wiley to love bis home.
we must make it happy. if we wish his
warmest affections to cluster around this
place, we must make il attractive. You
think the Norton boys are INDUCED too
much, but this indulgence is nothing more
than desire on the parents part, judi
ciously carried out, to make them useful
and happy. And believe they take the
right course. No children love their homes
better than they do. Mrs. Norton tells
me that is with the greatest reluctance that
they leave their home in the vacation to
visit their cousins in the city"
"Well, well. don't say any more, for |
have as much as can do to get through
the days work. and flor one wantto sleep
in the night Mrs. Norton may have her
notions and will have mine!" ~ f.
While Mr.. G. wrapped in the ''sweet
sleep OF the laboring man." and Mrs. G..
is revolving in her own mind the many
different plans which suggest themselves
to mothers ever watchful heart, for the
good Of her boy. let US take peep at the
character Of both perents and child. ~
Should stranger inquire of almost any
one in NJ, "what sort of man is Mr..
Gove?" the answer would probably be to
this effect: "Fine man, sir, honest, and
firm; triAes don t move him. SIR" Grant
ed-but let US see if there can be, with
these good qualities, nothing wanting.
Mr. G. was stern; in his view. the
"smoothing over" Of an affair was never
advisable. Billy. as child, had much to
contend with in the way OF passion, pride
and selfwlll; like almost all children,
occasional acts Of thoughtlessness and
hasty impulse led him into error and its
painful consequences. Had his father
been careful to "do justice to his better
qualities, while at the same time he blamed
and convinced him Of his faults" all
might have been well; but Mr.. G.. never
met his errors in ''love and conquered
them by forgiveness" Unjust harshness
actually confirmed him in error. Mr.. G..
was spoken Of as generous man, but to
use the beautiful language Of one depart
ed: "'rhere, are those who are lavish in
attention and presents to friends, but who
never imagine that their own home circles
has the first and strongest claim to kind
ness, whether Of word or deed. Affections
and thoughts lavished on comp aratiye,
strangers, never radiate on home; but
when given to home first, they shed light
and Kindness far and near" MI. e.,
never won the heart Of his child. How
was il with the mother9 She, possessed
the rare combination Of ',genileness with
irmess, submissiveness with dignity.
Her anxious desire was to do Justice to
his better feelings, and while she wished to
educate bis mind, she, was more anxious
that his heart should be won and taught.