The Planters' banner. [volume] (Franklin, Attakapas Co., Lou.) 1849-1872, 1853-05-26

VA PiotSO; OlIC hlHulJ IOOk, was dIl TIA
was desired, but these were withheld
and the charm of life was gone.
Gradual was the change. Bite
tears were shed and earnest endeavor.
to produce a happier state of things
were sometimes made. but in vain. Oh
could the husband but have known
how wistfulIy that yonng creature of
ten gazed upon him as he sat at the
evening meal upon his return from
business, and partook of luxuries which
her hand had prepared in the hope Of
eliciting some token of appreciation
could he have seen the anxious care
with which domestic duties were su.
perintended, the attention paid to the
toilette, the constant regard to his mos,
casually expressed wishes. surely, sure,
ly he would have renounced for ever
that cold, repulsive manner. and clasp.
ed to his bosom the gentle being whom
he had so lately vowed to love and
cherish.
But he saw il not-felt it not. Still
proud Of her beauty and talents, he
loved to exhibit her to an admiring
world, but the fond endearments OF
home were wanting. He knew nothing
of the yearning of that devoted heart
and while the slightest deviation from
his wishes was noticed and reprimand-
ed, the eager and intense desire 10
please was unheeded-the earnestly
desired word of praise was never
spoken.
The first year OF welded lite passed
away, and new chord was awakened.
Mary had become a mother: and as
she pressed the babe 10 Aer bosom,
new hopes were aroused whe clouds
which had gathered around her seemed
passing away, and the cheering SUM-
beams again broke forth. The mani
fest soIicitude of her hush nd in the
horr of danger, the affection with
which he had sazed on the counte-
nance Of his first-born. were promises
of happy days TO come.
But, alas! these hopes were bnt ill.,
sorry. All that 4 father could do for the
welfare of an infant was scrupulously
performed, bu, lis expanding intellect.
its innocent playfuiness, soon remained
unmarked-apparently uncared for.
Is he not lovely z" exclaimed the
fond mother, as the babe stretched his
little hands and crowed welcome as
the father entered.
He seems to be good. healthy
child" was the quiet reply. see no
thing particularly lovely in an infant six
months old, and If ! did | would rot tell
il so. Praise is very injurious to chill
dren, and yon should school yourself
from the first, Mary, to restrain your
feeling, aad utter no expressions which
will have tendency To foster the self
esteem common 10 Us all. Teach your
children 10 perform their duties from
higher motive than the hope of praise"
A chill like that of mid winter came
over the heart of the wife as she lis
tened to the grave rebuke.
There was truth in the words, Our
duties shonld be performed from higher
motives than the appreciation of our
fellow men; but that little word of
praise from, those we love-surely.
surely il cannot be hurtfuI. 1t is one of
life's brightest sunbeams, encoura ging
the weak, soothing the long suffering,
bringing rest TO the weary, and hope TO
the despondlng. q
Something of this Mary longed 10
urge, but her husband had already
turned away, and the words died on her
lips.
Time passed on. Another and an
other child had been added 10 the num-
Der, until four bright little faces were
seen around the family table. The fa-
lher seemed unchanged. Increasing
yea1s had altered neither the onter or
the inner man, but in the wife and
mother few would have recognised the
warm hearted. impulsive girl, who ten
yeats before had left her fathers home,
with bright visions Of the future float
ing before her youthful mind. "
Whence came that perfect calmness
IF demeanor, that almost stoical indif-
ference TO all that was passing around
lers To husband, children and SER
rants she was the same. Their CON-
ort was cared for, the routine of daily
iaties strictly performed, but always
With that cold, lifeless manner, strange
y at variance with her natural dispo-
;ition. But the change had come
gradually, and the husband noticed it
lot. To him, Mary had only grown
more matronly. and. wisely laying
lside the frivolity of girlhood, had ac-
luired the sedateness of riper years
True. there were. moments when her
was somewhat annoying.
Although he never praised, he often
blamed, and his Hghtest word of re-
,uke was al first always met with
ynsh of tears, but now there was no
ign of emotion !; the placid counte-
rance remained unchanged, and qui-
,tly he was told that bis wishes should
% attended TO. Certainly this was all
hat he could desire, but he would have
liked to feel that his pleasure or dis
pleasure was a matter of more conse-
Inence than il now appeared to be.
And yet the warm affections of the
leart were not all dead. They slum-
chilled, paralyzed, star-
ing for want of their proper and natu-
ai uourishmanf hnt there was sill