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

reform; but will persevere, putting faith
I the promises of God to all those who ear
estly and faithfully endeavor to do their du
W.
These resolutions looked very cold and
)rmal to the mother when she had done writ
nc them. The writing was nothing they
we're in her heart but she folded the paper
nd locked it in her desk, as a mcmcn:o, if
he should ever feel herself falling into old
labits of Incidence and sclf-indulgcncc.
The next morning, the family took their
breakfast as usual, Annie and Willie coming
n Just as their father was about leaving the
able lie was going to leave home this
morning, to be absent four weeks: but there
was no respectful salutation, no pleasant part
n. Kiss, from ;hc liI-behavcd children, tor
the father who had spent his DAYS in toiling
for their welfare.
Bring me something nice" and bring
me something nice :" as they both took their
seats at the table.
Where's my cup Of coffee said William,
This white stuff isn't coffee
No." said the mother, ''it is milk and wa
ter. Iprcfcr that YOU should drink it for
your breakfast"
"And prefer coffee" said Willie, in a
worry. Iotorm;r.J toro ..,,J I an, J,,.rr,;ro,J
to have it, Md he stretched his hand to-
wards the cot'c-rot to help himself
Take the coffee away. Bridget" said Mrs
Mcrwyn. 1t disappeared
where's my huttcrcd toast and sausacc>:"
SAID Annie
You Will have neither this morning. There
is GOOD bread and butter. and YOU can have
a mutton chop. or boiled EGG, Just which
you prefer
Il don't prefer either want sausa"cs.-
II ] can't have what want. won't eat any
thing"
".\> you please" replied the mother cool
ly.
The children looked at their mother. and
=. each other They did not know what 10
make of .hiS rc<olutc resistance to their wish
cs. They BEGGED. tca>cd and frcttcd but it
was of no use. They finally. with SulIrn
looks. conIcscncl,,l 10 cat what was before
them.
"Eut know enc thing" SAID Willie: III
| can't have what ! want for my dinner I'll
starvc And have not washed myself all
over for week. and don't intcrd to anv
more. And shan't 90 to school this after
hnno ard nlar. won't vou tnn..|"
Annie declared her readiness to ION in
this plan, and with this bravado they left the
room.
The dinner was still more stormy and un-
comfortable than the breakfast had been
The children went to school in the afternoon
but with red ewes and angry tcmpcrs No,
was it much better at tea They were moody
and hi>contcntcd and as indulgence had hth
crto hccn the mothers only means OF man
agcmcnt she could not alter the state OF
things \ cheerful word. or a kind smile
was met with sullcnncsS or Indifference: il
had no value
After a romrinr game. which the mother
did not attempt to check the >tn'lv table wa.
drawn out bat. before the books were takcr
she placed her children in two chairs. am
seated herself opposite to them. Her cv,
was moist. and her voice trcmhlcd little. a
she began to speak to them but as she pro
cccdcd. the strength Of an earnest purpoS,
soon dried the one and gave irmncSs to tn,
other.
"My children, love YOU dearly" said she
IL love vow. and your father loves vou. lc
cause vou are our children We wish t
make YOU good, that we may love vou better
We wish YOU to be happy, which you canno
he unless you are good. God has given yo
TO rs, and has commanded us to train YOU II
in the wav in which You should 90. lie ha
commanded children to love and obey thci
parents. You are old enough to feel and ur
lcrstand how right this is. was yer
Young mother, my dear children, when vo
were given me. | was not twenty when til
Youngest of You was born. | was inlolen
ignorant and useless | am older now.
have seen the evils of carclesSncSs and ovcl
indulgence. have observed, have read, an
have thought | am resolved to strive I
train YOU in the right way and, as the fir.
step and foundation, am determined yo
shall obey me. do not think YOU love m
or your iather as children generally love thci
parents perhaps you never will : but yo
must obey us and treat us with respect"
The children had often seen their motht
in passion from their provoking ways, an
had often felt the weight Of her hand upo
their ears but they now felt that new pril
ciple was at work. They were silent as s.!
proceeded:
II am not going to give you a long lectur
or rcproach YOU for the past. Our businc
is with the present and the future. Mar
things, which YOU have till now INDUCED i
will from this time. be entirely changed.
shall be changed. | shall not be the san
mother that was week ago ] hope sh'
be a better one Annie and William, spe;
seriously to you; YOU are old enough to u
derstand me. If Won fall into the right W;
at once. it will save trouble, and it will NAL
me very happy
Mother" said Willie, ''looking at her ha