The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1854-12-16

plain to her children how their father loved
hem. how constantly he cxcrted himself for
their welfare, how worthy he was of their
highest respect and love, and how much he
would be gratificd if they should strive in ev-
cry way to improve themselves.
The week passed happily away. The chill
drcn finding that they could gain no end hy
opposing their own will to the determination
of their mother, ceased attemptin. it, while
her ,iudlicious praise. whenever thev really
deserved it. gave them pleasure 50 new and
sweet as greatly to stimulate their efforts and
increase their love-
On the expected evening. Just at tea time.
the father came. The room was bright and
clean. The fire was blazing Extra lights
burned upon the mantc'-p.cc. a little feast
was spread upon the table. The lessons had
been learned beforehand. and the books Nh,
away. The mother had on her handsome
new cap. and the children had asked pcrmis-
sion to put on their holiday clothes. Mr..
Merwvn entered. As he had left, with rather
sad conntenancc.
NY dear husband" said the wifc. with a
bcaming face.
My dear, dear father. :" cried both of the
",:::ii,'.::cn, helping him. Willie drew his arm
chair to the fire. Annie took his overcoat x
gloves. am! carried them to the table Then
she smootlcd his hair and brushed the dust
from his coat, after which they both stool and
waited till he should lie warm and ready to
90 to the table. While at the table thcy were
lnict and polite.
In the evening the children amused them
selves together. with .oining maps an, puz
z!c>, while Mr.. Mcrwyn gave his wife the
particulars OF his journey. At hc,.-,it:c they
caric to their mothcr !ar kiss, which sh,
gave them. They then somewhat timiIly
approached their father
Wont vou kiss us. father" said ANNE
''mother says we have been good to-,lav."
The father kissed them with r'i>tcninc ewes
When they were gore. he said to his wife
''llclen. how you are changed Row mrcl
brighter and happier vou look than Won did
a month AGO and not only that. hut Won have
grown suddenly taller.-hi cher in mind and
body. AnI the c!ildrcn-wha. has com,
over them: They are not the children
left ; they are good. gentle. and well behavc,!
How is this 9"
Then the wife. amid tears and smiles
poured into the ear of her listening husband
the history Of a month: her new born reSou
49, - .-:-'- --',.-- '-4:...:--- g ....
cess.
"-tnI have sou ccomrlishcd so rcuch in
month, Helen? 1t seems impossible"
IL have to bc sure cxer,cd every power of
h= nature. J resolved to make change be.
fore your return, if il waS in the power Of hu-
man effort TO do it. thrust | have made a
beginning. have discovered affections and
capabilities in our children. which | revc,
suspected. Nv dear husband. let us Join TO.
scthcr, let ~ rcrscvcrc and who knows hu,
We may yet deserve and enjoy the blessing.
promised to faithful parents ~
MY Helen. thought of little else during
my long journey. came home with m,
mind full of it, | had determined to altcr
many things in nv business and domestic ha
bits. entirely with reference to the best inter
est Of my children. though. confess. | was no
sanyuinc in the hope OF any thorough an,
radical Improvement"
! Hours passed. while The husband and wifi;
communc.l of the future. making resolution
and forming plans to carry ont, in the hes
manner the reformation of their children, 81
happily begun.
1t would nc interesting tc trace the step
Wv which these parents. now thoroughly ava
kcncd to sense Of duty. and the imrortanc
of the trust committed to their care, game
an influence over their children, which rcsu
ted in beautiful developments OF character
and finally. by the blessing OF God. in ,lr
well-ioundcd hop, of happiness in future lii;
1t would be interesting to trace the rrocrc.
ofsclfcuturc and sclf-mprovcmcnt, by wlic
'lIey were enabled to do TINS; we can onl
record brief conversation which took pla,
about year after the events We have bee
detailing occurred. Mrs. Weston, the roc
. friend mentioned in the beginning of the ST
ry. had for several months been confined
the house 10y the protractcd illness of one
her daughters. Her hu>land, coming in r.
ther late one avcninc. told her he had bc,
to take tea with the Mcrwyns.
!. "And how did YOU find them asked Mr
Weston 1t is long since have been able I
, see them"
"And have kept ava: from them on ru
pose" rcjoncd Mr. Weston. "Th..v used
bc always in trouble with their children.
Their home was IA very uncomfortable place
rs it better now"
"Better YOU would not know the chil,lrcl
YOU would scarcely KNOW the parents. In Il
7 first place, the children have lost the pal
puny look they used TO have: they we
). blooming with health and ovcrilowing wi
n spirits, vet they were not rude. | watch
n them. They were kind to each other. poll
to me, and obcdicnt TO word or look frc
( their parents When went they were stu
). wing their lessons. which they were anNio
/ to finish before tea. When they were in dii
cul.y they called upon their mother, and s
gave them Just that degree Of help and g