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

One evening the children had been impo- |
lite to each other while at supper. The
mother took no notice. At the study-table
Anne had her slate and pencil which Willie
wanted. II will have it, said Willie; II
want it for my sums. am not going away
up to my room for my slate and pencil, while
yours is laying here doing nothing"
They both seized the slate and struggled.
Annie being stronger, gained possession.
wherepon Willie struck her. She struck
back again. Their mother had observed it
all. Children, put down the slate and come
to me-"
Her voice was deep and sad, but calm and
resolved. They did not dare to disobey-
Each however. according to custom, began
TO accuse the other in very strong terms
BE silent said the mother. Her voice was
lower and slower than usuaI.yct it was obcycd.
''.\nnic look me in the face and tell me every
circumstance of this quarrel. See that YOU
tel 1t exactly"
Annie felt that she must tell the cxac.
truth, and she hid So
''Willic. let me now hear vour account"
MY children" said the mother, "you are
both to blame. You deserve punishment ::
but long for the time 10 come when we
need not resort to punishment. Yesterday
for one fault YOU forfeited pleasant ride,
Which vour uncle had offered to give vou-
Last evening | was Obliged to put Won in
separate rooms, and sit here alone myself -
his morning Won received. cacl. five severe
strokes upon the hand. 1t is r1inftl for me
to punish YOU, hut this fault must be atoncd
tor. Slt down al opposite sides of the table
and think. See if you cannc: devise some
va, of getting along without punishment
Mother" said Willie Il know what vou
mean; but it is the very worst punishment |
could have. Must ask sisters pardon"
He looked at Annie and she at him. lie
was naturally OF generous disposition. aud
there was something in his sisters ccuntcn-
anrc which touched chord ionc un>,lcd to
vihratc
Annie" he >tammc-cd o"t. do beg vcnr
pardon. Will YOU forgive me: was most
in The wrong"
IL did wron. too" said Annie.
"Mothcr, will vou forgive us" said they
both. with one impulse.
Il viii, said She; "now 90 20 ;our lessons ''
She was obliged to 90 to another room to con
ccai her emotion. at This first conquest of her
children over themselves the first fruit of
, ~, .,,......., ~. .-~:-:..., .u '. !
help me to pcr>everc" A.r! II: the PRAYER
tor her children she thanked Him before re-
tlrlnS to rest. for putting good and gentle
thoughts into their Young hearts. and PRAYED
that this spirit might grow morcanJ more.
until lo,c should
" Through al their actions run
That night the children looked and inccr-
cd before retiring TO rest, As if in want of
hy their mother. though her heart was vearn-
inc FOR IT, The next day was passed without
The call for punishment The evening was
cheerful and happy. When Willie had look
ed ten minutes in vain To find certain place
in the >op,h of Europe on the map. his mo-
thcr came and pointed it out to linn. giving
HIM at the same time, some interesting rar-
ticu'ars OF its history and principal manutac-
lures.
Thank you, MOTHER" .n;d Willie. ..hou
much YOU do know
ANNE had piece OF poetry to commit tc
memory, in which Gree and the Cvclops and
the Syrcns were mentioned "lIow man,
thousand such make hclicvc beings our book.
are full of v, exclaimed she. Where iii,
the >tuil all come from? don't YOU think i
all nonsense to study about them, mother 2"
. Mrs Mcrwyn took the opportunity bricfl,
to explain the ancient mythology. She cav
a short account of Homer. repeating Byron
r beautiful lines, and afterwards little skctcl
j. of Ulysses, as detailed in the Odcsscv.
, ''llow interesting" said Annie: chow
should like to read the Odyssey. After all
:. though, don't believe these old stories
F, must DC very pleasant to know all about then
for we are meeting with something or othc
, about them in most every book We see
That evening the children seemed NOR
closely drawn to their mother than ever be
fore. Her steady government and ncwl
= discovered stores OF information, had raise
] her wonderfully in the opinion of her chi
p dren, and their love seemed to keep pace wit
T. their respect. And this evening her mannc
:, had been so kind, her voice so gentle; sh
had given up her own occupation to attend I
n them: She had refused pleasant Invitation
in orc'er to pass the evening with them.
good and gentle influence had seemed to Sc
{. tie upon them, turning their minds in lov
y and harmony. But bedtime came. II!
! children looked wistfuly at their mother
:. ut last, Willie said:
= Mother, You never kiss us now. Won
= YOU kiss US toni yht :"
h "lcS, my children. This has been ha
u py day to me, because you both have bee
J. good children" Upon this she kissed the
70 fondly.
y Won't YOU always kiss us when YOU thr
70 We have been good enough" said Will
"and then we shall know what YOU thir
n- about it,"
to "YeS, I will, Willie"