Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1852-11-04

education, and partly of circumstances. But
when looked on my little delicate babe, my
own, being dependent on my care, and one
that could make happy, oh my heart was
drawn towards it with a yearnDg of fondncss,
hope, delight that was perfectly new and almost
overpowering | could have laid down my life
for her-and yet murdered her
Righteous heaven was this the punishment
of my early self indulgence?
Though loved my child, and earnestly wish
ed to train her rightly, was not fitted for the
task, Now it was That felt the deficiencies OF
my own education. The lessons of Mrs. L
had Impressed on my mind with a sense of my
in6rmites of temper and inconsistencies Of con-
duct, but | did not stay long enough with her to
learn how to correct them. knew had been
'-7-~nalasa IA aad h..f+I L-lnet
the manner or degree. Like many other super,
ficlal reasoners, thought the reverse of wrong
must be right My mother, knew, had indulg
ed me too much; and SO determined not to in.
dulge my child at all made no difference be
tween those indulgences that excite the passions
or crafty the appetite, and those which call forth
and foster the kind affections and moral feelings.
My whole system was one of rigid self denial.
The consequence was, my child feared me, and
she never was happy with me. She loved the
nursery girl much better than me, and that was
source of constant grief and vexaticn. used
frequently to send away the girl and let Caro-
line cry as long as dared, to punish her for not
choosing to have me feed her, and dress her. &C.
fear it was to CRAFTY my own temper as much
as TO govern hers, that exerted my authority.
Noue but those who have subdued their own
passions are fit to be trusted with children. They
may otherwise love their children, but they will
not be just towards them.
1t was in the month of June-a bright, balmy
day-such an one as seemed designed for hu,
man enjoyment, when, to be happy, we have
only to open the heart to the sweet sunny i'm
fuences around us and yet, if the heart is not
right, how wretched we may be I was unhap
py that day. Some difference with my husband
had occurred at the breakfast table. Since the
birth of my daughter, we had lived in much
better harmony he had been more reasonable,
as he knew must attend to the child, when
anything had gone wrong in our household
affairs. And believe he loved me more as the
mother of his child than as his W ife; for he was
doatingly fond of Caroline, and our chief diff.
culties now arose respecting her. He insisted
that was harsh with her, and that it made her
obstinate T'and then he told long story about
his own mother, and how she used to persuade
her chlldren-not hire or drive them--but rea-
son with them. ,-..s
respecting the time when Caroline should be
obliged to learn her lesson steadily. wanted
her to commence then, for she was three years
old my husband thought it was well enongh, /
she chose to learn, but insisted that no compul
sion should be used. But, notwithstanding wha
he said, went out and purchased books, an
determined TO commence that very day, an
that she should take her lesson at re gular hour
every day, whether she were or were not pleased
came home in no pleasant humor ; for | ha,
bowed to lady who did not return my salute
and felt enraged at her insoence. With thes
feelings of anger uppermost in my mind, en-
tered tho nursery. Never shall | forget tn
sweet looks of my child at that moment. Sh
was sitting on the cushion with her face toward
the door, the sunlight streamed through tn
window curtain, its beams fell on her pale
yellow hair, and the ringlets seemed clusters o
pure gold. The nursery-maid had been twist
ing roses among her curs, and the little creatur
was passionatey fond of flowers SO, when
entered, she looked up to me with a laugh
such heartfelt joy that had come to see he
pretty roses, and her blue eyes sparkIed wit
the light of happy and innocent heart.
81 have bought new book Gor you, Caroline,
said |.
"My roses, mother; see my pretty roses J" sal
the child
returned to the maid, and bade her take o
the roses, for Caroline should say her lessor
Isspoke sternly, and Caroline began to weep
minded nothing of her tears, but took her
nv knee and gave her the book.
She threw it on the floor, iand cried for he
roses. I ordered the maid to go down with tn
roses; and, when she was gone told CaroIln
+ that she should pick up her book and read
me. She refused to pick up her book she wa
: obstinate ; but then had provoked it by IN
, own imprudenco in teaz ing her to read whe
3 her mind was engrossed with another obIec
should then only have told her OF the ros'
4 how it was spell, and shown her the picture
it, and told her stories about it, that would hay
4 made her interested to learn more. Wh
| tvrants we are with our children, when, inste'
r of aiding their ideas, we would force them
understand ours
had not succeeded TO make Caroline pick
> her book, when the maid entered to say Mi
c F-was in the parlor. Mrs. F-was
: verv proud and fashionable lady, and was gld
: o receive a call from her but, in my struggl
with Caroline, | had quite discomposed n
9 drass. and this made me excessively angry WI
+ The child. Never before had felt so towar
Is her. wanted to punish her severely. III
maid offered to take her, but | bade her
u down and say would come soon; and then
n told Caroline should shut her in my dark clos
& while was gone. She had always been atra
to be alone in the dark, and one of the We
n few things in which l had uniformly lndu lg
1. her was to have a light burning through Il
Q, NIGHT. If she ever awoke, and found herself
the dark, she had always been Frightened
I When told her should put her in the da
y closet, she screamed as loudly as possible al
" I hurried her in quick, before she had time
le Weld, because feared Mrs.'F. would hear h
ct sbrek Ks. locked the door and took the key,
., - lou;rr, tho ch;lJ out