The Democratic sentinel. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1852-1853, 1853-02-09
A Lesson to Parents.


household was no where to be found Ny
wife was amiable, intelligent, and contented.
We were not wealthy. but Providence had
preserved us from want; and we had learn
ed that ''conten'ment without wealth, is. ke:.
ter than wealth without contentment."
IL was my custom, when returning home
at night, TO drop into one OF the many shops
that are constantly open in the business
streets Of the metropolis, and purchase some
trifiing danties, to present 10 the mother
and children, / need not say how delighted
the little ones were at this slight expression
of parental consideration On one occasion
had purchased some remarkable fine ap.
pies. After the repast, half a dozen wers
left untouched, and my thrifty companion
forthwith removed them to the place Of de-
poSt, where it was her custom TO preserve
the remains of our knick.nacks. A day or
two after. when had seated myself at the
table to dine, she said to me, smilingly.
80, father has found the wsyto my safe
ty-box, has he?" ...- .....
was at loss to und 'rstand the meaning,
and desired her to explain.
"Have you not been in my drawer?"
"What drawer?'' .4-...'
"The upper drawer in the chamber bu-
reau, Did you not take therefrom the lar
gest of the pippins / had pat away for the
girls?" 49,. .r..a. =. '.u .ug..
"No-I did not!' .....-a .....
"Not Il | have not seen an apple since
the evening purchased them" rs..
A slight cloud passed over the counte-
nance OF my vile. She was troubled
The loss OF the apple was in itself nothing;
bnt We had carefully instructed our children
not to appropriate to their use, any article
whatever OF family consumption, without
permission; and as permission, when the de-
mand was at all reasonable, had never been
denied them, she was 10th to suspect any
one of them of the offence. We had q servant
girl in the family, but as she was supposed
o know nothing of the apples, my wife hes
i'ated 10 charge it upon her. She at length
broke the silence by saying
1--WE must examine the affair. can
hardly think one of the children would so
act. five find them guilty, we must re-
prove them Will yon please look into it?'
The girls were separately called into my
presence; the eldest first.
"E!iza, did you take from your mothers
drawer, an apple?"
"No SIR" ... .... ...
''It must have been taken by the servant,
call her TO- ! said addressing my wife.
"Nell, how came you to take from the
daawer Of your mistress, without permission,
the largest Of the apples she had placed
there?" l.t,.. '-e..f.sss.s 9.4 e34.
''WOt apples?"
"Did you take no apple from the drawer
! Of your mistress?"
"Eo Sd"
Now, it was evident that falsehood exis-
ted somewhere Conld it be that one OF my
children had told me lie? The thought
harrassed me. l was not able to attend tc
business. | went to the store-but soon
returned again. Meanwhile the servant
girl communicated to her mistress that she
had seen our youngest 90 into the garrett
with large apple, the morning before -
On examination, the core, and several pieces
Of rind was found upon the floor. again
called Mary to me. and said to her affection
ately. ... a..-.,
MARY my daughter, did you 60 into the
garret yesterday" ...... ...... ..l
Eyes SIR"
"Did you go there with an apple?" @
"Did you notice anything on the foor?''
"No sir"
was unwilling to believe my sweet child
capable Of telling me falsehood; but APP
pea-ances were against her. The fault lay
between her and the servant, and while
WAS desrous to acquit my child, / did not
wish to..accuse ulustly the negro. ! there
fore took Mary into room alone. spoke
to her Of the enormity Of lying-of the ne
cessity Of telling the truth--of the severe
punishment should be compelled to infict
upon her, If she did not confess the whole
to me, and with tears in my eyes urged her
to say that she had done it. if indeed she
had. Gradually, became convinced of he,
guilt; and now / felt determined she should
confess it. My threatnings were not with
ont effect After weeping and protestin her
innocence, and weeping and protesting a.
gain, my threatnings seemed to alarm her,
and falling upon her kneesshe sail -"Fath-
er, | did take the apple" ~
Never shall l forget that moment My
child confessed that she was n liar, in my
presence! .a. sr. ~
Suppressing my emotion, retired; and
Mary rising from her position ran to hei
mother, aud in prcxoysm of grief cried
out: ..E as.gt . 4 r..a.H .,af..
Mother, ! did not take the apple. Bu
father has made me confess that did,"
Here was new aspect Of affairs. Lie
multiplied upon lie! Could it be possible
My dear Mary, who had never been known
to deceive us---so affection ate--so gentle
so truthful in all the past--cocld it be pos
sible that sh' was confirmed liar! Neces'
sity was stronger than the tenderness Of hel
father, / chaslised her for the first time ir
my life--sevcrely chastised her! 1t slmos
broke her heaIt--and | may add. it broke
mine also.
Yet Mary was innocent After events
proved that the negro was the thief. She
had conjured up the story of the garret
knowing that Mary would not deny having
been there, and 10 make the circumssanct
strong against her, had strewn apple rindl
on the floor. never think of the event
without tears. BUTT has taught me use
full lesson, and that it, is never to threater
q child into lie, when it may be is telling
the trnth.1 The only lie ever knew Mary
Etotell me, myself forced upon her by threat
enings Il has al o fixed in my mind th,
determination 10 employ no seryast in my
fenaily, when Ican possibly do without.