The Rutland County herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1852-1855, 1854-05-26

we're. never forgive first fault, bot |
| try to he inneXibly just. Indulgence |
Is a weakness TO him who exercises It, |
and an injury TO him who receives it,
Mrs. Elnidge smiled.
Yes said her husband, what say
is true. How many good servants are
spoiled by having first offence over.
looked. How many children are ruin
ed aud rendered in,olcrable plaques, be-
cause their parents, forsooih, have not
sufficient moral courage TO punish them.
What said his wife, if it should
please Providence TO grant us the bles.
sing of children, would you treat them
with the same rigor that you use towards
your servants
Most certainly ! should
When he said this, he believed il, for
he had never known the solicning pow
er of paternal love. Mrs. Eldidgc look
ed sad and FASTENED to change the top
ic Of conversation.
Next day took leave of my friends
and soon afterwards setting ont on a
distant voyage, ] did not repeat my visit
to the Falls till after the lapse of sever
al years. During my absence learn
ed that Mr.. Elnidge had at length be.
come the father ofa little girl. wrote
to congratulate him, and the impression
which our last conversation had left was
SO strong on my mind that ] venturcd
TO claim some indulgence for the little
creature, whom ] feared he would treat
with injudcious harshness. regretted
to perceive in the letters which | had
from him that his principles of severity
were 10y no means relaxed.
AT length ! found myself once more
within the pleasant meadows of the
Falls. II was evening and supper-timc
when ! entered the well remembered
kitchen; there was the same long table
surrounded by people, aud the
the master and mistress in their accus-
toned places. They received me with
the most cordial joy, and soon perceiv-
ed that something was changed. The
masters presence no longer imposed
silence and restraint a lovely little girl
Of seven years old fitted about inces-
santly-now playing with the servants.
now climbing on the knees of her smil-
ing father. In the course of the even
ing ] said to Mrs. Elnidgc, in a low
voice:
well, ] think your sweet little daugh-
ter seems 10 have softened her fathers
severity
Don't say so to him. she replied
1T is the fact, but he is quite unconcious
of it, he fancies himself as innexible as
ever, but his love for the child is all
powerful
A few evenings afterwards, MS the
workmen were returning, I heard the
calmly severe voice of Mr.. Elnidge say
ing:-
i will hear no more about it he is
an ill-conducted boy.
Please, sir, 10 consider for a moment
said the steward, his old mother has no
one but him ic support her. lie will
replace the two sheep that he allowed
TO stray away. We will all help him, q,
and for PHYS sake, sir, don't turn him
off, for then no one in the neighborhood
will hire him.
That is not the question, replied Mr..
Elnidge, i care very little for the loss
Of two sheep, but ! will not retain in
my service good-for-noihing boy, who
goes 10 sleep instead of minding his
flock, or perhaps does worse, and spends
his time in stealing his neighbor's fruit.
Mrs. Elnidge and / approached and
saw little shepherd boy named An
drew, standing before his master and
weeping bitterly.
Dear husband, do you think
Mr. Elnidgc interrupted her immedi-
ately:-
Don't give me the pain Of refusing
you, my dear. 1t is useless to ask me
to forgive the boy-I have dismissed
him
'Oh pardon,si siammered the child
indeed it was not Tor myself it was
for
Take him away and let there be an
end 'othis, said his masicr,in a tone that
admitted no reply.
The boy went away, sobbing as II bis
heart would break, and all the other.
sat down 10 supper. The meal was a
sad one. Little Annie did not as usu-
nj play and dance around the table
she sat on fooi-stool at her mothers
feet, and remember from time to time
she took furiiyely some hazel nuts oul
Of the little pocket in her apron, and
threw them into the fire.
At length, her father bent over her
and said -
You are not merry tonight, my dar.
ling-whal aiIs your
Nothing, papa, replied Annie, turn.
ing red.
What are you doing just now ?
Nothing. papa
How is lhall ] thought you were
thro sing fomelhing g-nuts, think, into
the fire.
NO. papa, replied the little girl ircm.
bling, ! have not any nuts
What why here they are 10 your
pocket
Annie poa'ed her pretty little lips,
and her eyes filed with tear.