The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-08-24
"To get you a claw hammer and three

ly comprehend the fact of his being in ear
nest. But. as this fogging was an un-
pleasant kind of business, and had, on all
previous occasions, been succeeded by a
repentant and selfaccusing state, Mr.. Bel
knap restrained his indignant impulses.
''lf that stubborn, incorrigible boy re-.
turns in half an hour, it will be wonder, -
muttered Mr.. Belknap, as he came back
into the sitting room. 81 wish knew wh at
10 do with him. There is no respect or
obedience in him. never saw such a
boy. He knows that I'm in hurry; and
yet he goes creeping along like tortoise,
and, ten chances to one. ifhe doesn't for
get his errand altogether before he is half
way TO Leslie's. What is to be done with
him, Aunt Mary?"
And MIR. Belknap turned, as he spoke,
to an elderly lady, with mild, open face,
and clear blue eyes from which goodness
looked forth as an angel. She was val
ued relative. who was paying him brief
visit.
Aunt Mary let her knitting rest in her
lap, and turned her mild, thoughtful eyes
upon the speaker.
..What is to be done with that boy,
Aunt Mary?" Mr.. Belknap repeated his
words. '.I've tried everything with him;
but he remains incorrigible."
"Have you tried"
Aunt Mary paused. and seemed hall in
doubt whether it were bestto give utterance
to what was in her mind.
"Tried whatl" asked Mr.. Belknap.
SHAY | speak plainly2" said Aunt Ma.
ry.
ITO mel Why yes! The palmer the
better.'
.Haye you tried kind, affectionate,
animpassione manner with the boy?-
Since have been here, notice you speak
to him in cold, Indifferent, or authorita.
tive tone. Under such treatment, some
natures, that soften quickly in the sunshine
Of affection, grow hard and stubborn"
Tho blood mounted to the cheeks and
brow Of Mr.. Belknap.
"Forgive me. il have spoken too plain.
ly," said Aunt Mary. "a :ssS
Mr.. Belknap did not make any response
for some time. but sat, with his eyes upon
the floor. in hurried self-examination.
'.No, Aunt Mary, not too plainly" said
he, as he looked at her with sobered face.
II needed that suggestion. and thank you
for having made it,"
"Alrs Hewitt has q line which beautiful
ly expresses what mean," said Aunt
Mary, in her gentle, earnest way. ut is
.For love hath reader will than fear.
All. if we could all comprehend the won
derful power Of love! 1t is the FIRE that
melts; while fear only smites, the strokes
hardening, or breaking its unssghtly frag-
menfs. John Thomas. has many good
qualities, that ought to be made as active
as possible. These. like goodly flowers
growing in carefully TILED garden, will
absorb the latent vitality in his mind, and
thus leave nothing from which inherent
evil tendencies can draw nutrition
Aunt Mary said no more, and MIR. Bel
knap's thoughts were soon too busy with
a new train of ideas, to leave him in any
mood for conversation.
Time moved steadily on. Nearly hall
an hour had elapsed which period John
Thomas might have gone twice to Leslie's
store, and returned; yet he was still absent.
Mr.. Belknap was particularly in want OF
the hammer and nails, and the delay chat
ed him very considerably; the more par
as il evidenced the indifference
of his son IN respect to his wishes and
commands. Sometimes he would yield to
a momentary binding flush of anger, and
resolve to punish the boy severely the mo-
ment he could get his hands on him. But
quickly would come in Aunt Mary's sug-
gestion. and he would again resolve to try
the power Of kind words. He was also a
good deal strengthened in his purposes.
by the fact that Aunt Mary's eyes would
be upon him at the return Of John Thomas.
After her suggestion, and his acknowledge
msnt of its value, it would hardly do for
him to let passion SO rule him as to act in
open violation of what was right. To
wrong his son by unwise treatment, when
he professed TO desire only his good.
The fact is, Mr.. BelRhap had already
made the discovery, that if he would gov
ern his boy, he must first govern himself.
This was not an easy task. Yet he felt
that it must be done.
There comes that boy now" said ne.
as he glanced forth. and saw John 1'hom-
as coming homeward at very deliberats
pace. There was more Of impotence in
his tone of voice than he wished to betray
to Aunt Mary, who lether beautiful, angel
like eyes rest for moment or two, pene-
tratingly, upon him. The balancing pow
er OF that look was needed; and it per-
formed it's work.
Soon after, the lettering boy came in.
Heshad package of nails in his hand.
which he reached, half indiferently, to his
father
e. tsThe hammerI'' John started with a
half frightened air. ..Indeed, father, for
got all about itp' said he, looking up with
. flushed counten ance. in which genuine
regret was plainly visible. < -
slim sorry y said Mr.. Belknap, in dis.
appointed, but not angry or rebuking voice.
"I've been waiting long time for you to
come back, and now must 90 to the store
without mailing up that trellice for your
mothers honeysuckle and wisteria, as ]
proised. /"
The boy looked at his father moment
or two with an air Of bewilderment and
surprise; then he said, earnestly;