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

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"llow can - replied the husband Am
not at my work all day? And must spend
my tIme in which need little relaxation,
IN reducing couple of rcbcllions children
to order: They love me little enough now.
1t Is seldom that get the slightest carcss, or
even respectful word from either of them;
and how would it be if | spent my evenings
in checking and scolding them? | took tea
at our friend Wcston's last evening. Weston
is as busy as a.n, and the whole charge of
their five children falls upon his wife but,
oh Helen, it ".ric III. heat a'ho
them: such happy, cheerful faces, such intel
ligcnt looks, such pleasant, winning ways so
quiet and obcdcnt, and vet so loving and af-
fcctlonatc TO their parents and to each other
| used to hope that nv children would grow
up so; but have no such hopes now-thcv
grow worse as they grow older. Idcsire that
YOU will let them have another room to spend
their evenings in, for want to have them
out Of my sight
Having thus spoken, with heavy ssh.the
father left the room for his chamber.
When he was ro;.c, Mrs Mcrwvn burst in
to passion of tears The fountains of feel
ING seemed stirred to their utmost DEPTHS. At
first. she pitcd herself: she was angry with
her husband and children. She called to
mind the fact. that she was married at seven
teen to a husband considerable older than
,:crsrH "And how could It be expected"
tllonoi.t She. ''that could know ANYTHING a.
bout hrinci.,r up children? Twas rettcd.
ndnlrcd haIf.c,i,. cate! GIRL. myself; where
was to get strength. and III" selidcnial and
the perseverance necessary TO- the most diff
cult task Was tito lc expected that should
give up every pleasure of youth, and thi'k
and work entirely for others ="
As these thoughts passed through her mind,
she wcpt the more Mrs Mcrwvn. it is true.
was married too early: she had begun wrong.
But she was a woman of deep feeling. and
earnest. though Uniformed and undcvclopcd
purposes.
Having exhausted her sclf-commscration.
her thoughts took another turn But love
my children, and love my husband am
their mother am his wife: and do not ma
turc and God and my own heart urge me to
higher and better discharge of my '"t,
, than have ever 20. r."~..."I: OH ',""
happy | should be if could reclaim my chill
lrcn. reform them. and establish a mothers
influence over them: if | could make nv
husband happy and his home> delightful =
What would not sacrifice for this ~
Her face bcamcd as she INDUCED in these
bright visions, but reflection brought dScour-
arcmcnt.
IL am thirty wears DID," murmurcd she
"Annic is twelve and Willie ten. Even if |
could change myself, how can alter them =?
Nh. fear it is a hopeless case"
She now sunk npon her knees, and laid her
wishes, sorrows, hopes. and halftormcd re>o-
lutions before the great Helper and Comfor-
ter, praving for wisdom and strength, as Sol
omon prayed when entrusted with the king
dom; for she felt more doubts than ever be-
fore, that she. too, had high and broaden
duty to perform, and that strength and great
wisdom were absolutely necessary to enable
her 10 perform her duty. She rose with a
feeling new to herself; calmncSS. rcsolu-
ton, determination, which inspired her with
hope and confidence.
The next morning she went to her ole
. friend, Mrs. Weston and made her the conf
dant of her new feelings and plans. Mrs
Weston was large hearted, strong minded
piou> woman. She listened with generous
interest, she encouraged, she advised; and
after a conference of three hours, Mrs Mcr
wvn returned home.
That evening, after her husband and chill
drcn had retired. she took her writing dc>l
and wrote the following schedule of rcsolu
I tions:
> 'lscsolvcd, That the first duty of the da,
. performed by me shall be a prayer to NJ
" mighty God, and especially for wisdom am
Il strength, properly to instruct, guide, an,
govern my children.
! "Eesolvcd, That will never permit eithc
of my children, with impunity, wilfully t
e disobev me, Or treat me with disrcspcct.
Resolved, That / will earnestly striv
5 never to act from an impulse of the momcn,
of passion. or resentment: but will endeavo
% to preserve my udgmcnt cool and my feel
e ings calm, that may clearly see, and trul
perform my duty to my children.
"Hc>olvcd That | will devote ccrtai
portion of my leisure to daily selt:instructior
i in order to be able properly to instruct m
Is children.
Resolved, That | will watch my own ten
per at all times cultivate habit of cheerful
'e ness and interest myself in the little matter
of my children, that may thereby gain thci
X love-
i, '.Resolved. That will break off the hab
p Of lounsing, that | will give up the rcadin
of novels, and that will attend fewer lare
A. parties, and devote the time which | sha
ID thus gain especially to pursuits which wi
e, increase the comfort and happiness of m
E. husband, and forward the interests of NJ
children
e. "Resolved, That Twill especially study IL
s. health of my children, reading on the sutiec
e, and asking advice of those who are more e!