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

ihS S-"ih "a ~ Va oO NiSeOiJ O'Si viz PSh
verse tendencies of both her own and
the heart of her boy, 1t was a little act
but it was the first fruits, and the gath.
ering even of so small harvest was
sweet to her spirit.
At the breakfast table the usual
scene was about being enacted, wher
6 speak gently" coming into her mind
prevented its occurrence. 1t seemed
almost mystery to her-the effect o.
words gently spoken on one who scarcely
needed her most positive and angrily
uttered reproofs ans. injunctions.
Although Harry was not as orderly
in his behaviosat the table as the mother
could have wished, yet he did much
better than usual, and seemed really to
desire to do what was right. For nearly
the whole of that day Mrs. Burton was
able to control herself and speak gently
to her boy, but towards evening sh'
became fretful again from some caus'
or other. From the instant this chang
made itself apparent she lost the swee
influence she had been able to exercis
over the mind of her child. He NJ
longer needed her words, and she coulc
no longer feel calm in spirit when be
showed perverse and evil temper When
night closed in, the aspect of affairs was
but little different from that af any pre-
ceding day
Heavy was the heart of Mrs. Burton
when she sought her pillow, and the in
cidents and feelings of the day came up
in review before her mind. In the
morning her heart was calm and her
perception clear; she saw her duty
plainly and felt willing to walk in its
pleasant paths. In treading these she
had experienced an internal delight un-
known before but ere the day hat
passed, old habits, strong from frequent
indulgence, returned, and former effects
followed as a natural consequence.
AS she lay for more than an hour,
resolving and re-resolving to do better,
the face of Harry often came up before
her. Particular y did she remember its
peculiar expression when she spoke
kindly, instead of harshly rcproying him
for acts ofrudeness or disobedience. At
these times she was conscious of pos
sessing real power over him; this she
never felt in any of her angry efforts to
subduc his stubborn will. q -Ero p.
On awaking in the morning her mind
was renewed all passion had sunk into
quicscence she could see her duty and
feel willing to perform it. Harry, too
awoke as usual, and that was in fret
ful, captious mood but this ripping O
the surface of his feelings all subsidized
when the voice of his mother, in words
gently spoken, fell soothiDgly upon his
ear. He even went so far as to put his
arms around her neck and kiss her, say
ing, as he did So" Indeed, mamma, l
will be good boy" . I
For the first time in many months
the breakfast hour was pleasant to all.
Harry never once interrupted the con-
versation that passed at intervals be-
tween his father and mother. When he
asked for anything it was in way pleas
ing to all. Once or twice Mrs. Burton
found it necessary to correct some little
fault of manner, but the way in which
she did it, not in the least disturbed her
child's temper, and instead of not SEEM
ing to hear her words, as had almost al
ways been the case, he regarded all that
she said and tried to do as she wished.
There is wonderful power in gen.
tie words" remarked MIR. Burton to his
wife, after Harry had left the table.
Yes, wonderful, indeed their ef-
feet surprises me-"
"Love is strong"
$50 il seems-stronger than any
other influence that We can bring to
bear upon a human being"
Whether that being be child Or
full grown man.
I" True, without doubt; but how hard
a thing is it for us to so control ourselves
that the sphere of our actions shall be
full of love. All, me the love-theory
is beautiful one, but who of US can al
ways practice it For me, l confess
that cannot."-
Not for the sake Of your children ~
" For their sakes would make almost
any sacrifice; would deny myself every
comfort-I would devote my life to
their good and yet the perfect control
of my natural temper, even with all the
inducements my love for them brings,
seems impossible" Is ame i
"I think you have done wonders al.
ready" Mr.. Burton replied. eff the