The Literary echo, and Pawcatuck advertiser. [volume] (Westerly, R.I.) 1851-1854, 1852-09-16


basket. A look from his mother caused
him to drop the slice he had lifted /; il
was not look in which there was much
affection. While waiting to be helped,
bis hands were busy with his knife and
fork, making most unpleasant clatter
/" Put down your hands J" harshly
spoken remedi d this evil, or rather sent
the active movements of the little fel-
lows hands to his feet, that commenced
a swinging motion, his heels striking
noisily against the chair. Dir hnL
Keep your feet still :" caused this
to cease. ..-- ....,.
! After one or two reproofs, the boy
was left TO himself AS soon as he re-
ceived his cup of tea he poured the
entire contents into his saucer, and then
tried to lift it steadily to his lips. In
doing so he spilled one-third of the con-
tents upon the table-cloth.
A box on the ears and storm of
angry words rewarded this feat.
+" Haven't / told you over and over
again, you incorrigibly bad boy! not to
pour the whole of your tea into your
saucer. Just see what mess you
have made with that clean table-cloth
declare am out of all manner Of
patience with you. Go way from the
table this instant ~ ..
Harry went crying away, not in anger,
but in grief He had spilled his tea by
accident. His mother had so many re-
proofs and injunctions to make that the
bearing of them all in mind was a thing
impossible As to pouring out all his
tea at time, he had no recollection OF
any interdiction on that subject, although
it had been made over and over again
dozens of times. In little while he
came creeping slowly back and resumed
his place at the table, his eyes upon his
mothers face. Mrs. Burton was sorry
that she had sent him away for what was
only an accident; she felt shethat had
hardly been just to the thoughtless boy.
She did not, therefore, object to his
coming back, but said as he took his
seat" Next time see that you are
more careful | have told you again
and again not to fill your saucer to the
brim you never can do it without
spilling the tea over upon the liable
cloth"
This was not spoken in kindness,
A scene similar to this was enacted
at every meal, but instead of improving
in his behavior the boy grew more and
more needless. Mr.. Burton rarely said
any hing to Harry about his unruly
manner, but when he did word was
enough That word was always mild
yet firmly spoken. He did not think
him bad boy or difficult to manage
at least he had never found him SO. 3.
Z" wish l knew what to do with tina
child" said Mrs Burton, after the little
fellow had been sent to bed an hour be-
fore his time, in consequence of some
violation of law and order; he makes
me feel unhappy all the while. / dis
like to be scoldlng him for ever, but
what can | do !; If did not curb him
in some way there would be no living in
the house with him. | am afraid. he
will cause us world of trouble" "
MIR. Burton sat silent He wanted
to say word on the subject, but feared
that its effect might not be what he de-
sired. ..t.. ..p{ ,..
81 wish you would advise me what to
do, Mr.. Burton" his wife said little
petulently. You sit and don't say
single word, as if you had no kind of in
terest in the matter. What am to do !;
] have exhausted all my resources, and
feel completely at loss"
"There is way which, if you would
adopt it, l think. might do great deal
of good.n Mr.. Burton spoke with d
slight appearance of hesitation. eff
you would speak gently to Harry, am
sure you would be able to manage him
far better than you do" -Ari oI ..I''s
Nlrs. Burton's face was crimsoned in
an instant she felt the rcproof deeply !;
her self-esteem was severely wounded.
"Speak gently, indeed ~ she replied.
"I might as well speak to the wind; I
am scarcely heard, now- at the top of
my voice" .. 500. -.
Mr.. Burton never contended with
his wife. She woul have felt better
sometimes if he had done so, for then
she would have excused herself little.
His words were few, mildly spoken, and
always remembered. He had expected
some such effect from his suggestion Of
a remedy in the case of Harry, and was
not, therefore, at all surprised at the