Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-05-31

|
with sister, and brother lifting his arm against
brother"
AS was usual niter an ebulition of passion,
| Mrs. Lyon, deeply depressed in spirits, as
well as discouraged, retired from her family
to grieve and weep. Lifting the frightened
baby from the floor, she drew its head ten
derly against her bosom and, leaving the
nursery, sought the quiet of her own room. -
There, in repentance and humiliation, she
recalled the stormy scene through which she
had just passed, and blamed herself for Weld.
ing blindy to passion, instead of meeting the
trouble amoi her children with quiet dis
crimina,ion.
To weeping, camness, succeeded. Still
she was perplexed in mind, as we'll as grew
ed at her own want of self-control. What
was to be done with her children! How were
they to be governed Alright! Painfully did
she feel her own unfitness for the task. By
this time the baby was asleep, and the mo-
ther felt something of that tranquil peace
that every true mother knows when a young
babe is slLmbering on her bosom. A book
lay on a shelf, near where she was sitting,
and Mrs. Lyon, scarcely conscious of the
She opened, without feeling any interest in
its contents; but, she had only read few
sentences, when this remark arrested her at
tention;
"All right government of children begins
with self-government"
The words seemed written for he and
the truth, expressed was elevated instantly
into perception. She saw it in the clcarest
light, and closed the book and bowed her
head in sad acknowledged of her own er-
rors. Thus, for some time, she had been
sitting when the murmur of voices from be-
low grew more ard more distinct, and she
was soon aroused to the painful fact, that as
usual, when left alone, the children were
quarreling among themselves. Various moi
ses, as of pounding on and throwing about
chairs, and other pieces of furniture, were
heard; and, at length, loud scream, min
gled with angry yociferations,> mote upon her
ears.
Indignation sweled instantly to the heart
Of Mrs. Lyon, and hurrcdy placingjthe slice.
ping babe in its crib, she started for the
scene of disorder, moved by an impulse to
punish severely the young rebels against au-
thority, and was half way down the stairs
when her fest were checked by remem.
brance OF the sentiment -"All right govern
| ment of children begins with selt.goyern
ment"
"Will anger, subduc anger! When storm
! meets storm is the tempest stiied! These
were the questions asked of herself, almost
involuntary, "This is no spirit in which 10
MOI III II hno u,il
ep force orler and obedience, she added, as
she stood upon the stairs, struggling with
herself, striving for the victory. From the
nursery came louder sounds of disorder -
How weak the mother felt! Yet in this
very weakness was strength.
i must not stand Idly here, she said as a
sharper cry of anger smote her ears; and SO
she moved on quickly, anG opening the nur-
sery doo-, stood revealed to he: children. Ju-
liza had just raised her hand to strike Emily,
who stood confronting her nth fiery face.
Both were a little startled at their mothers
sudden appearance; and both, expecting the
st yrm that usually came at such times, began
to assume the defiant, stubborn air with which
her Incorporate reproots were always met.
A few moments did Mrs. Lyon stand look
ing at her chldreD-gref not anger, upon
her countenance How still all became
What look Of wonder came gradually into
the Chidren's faces as they glanced one at
the other. Something OF shame was next
visible. And now, the mother was consci.
Gus of new power over the young rebels OF
her hou sehol5.
"Emily," said she, speaking mildly, and
-...l .,.l H.
could not subdue, Il wish you would 60 up
into my room and sit with Mary while she
sleeps
Without a sign Of opposition, or even of
reluctance, Emily went quietly from the mr.
sery, in obedience to her mothers desire.
| "This room is very much in disorder, Ju-
! liza"
Many times had Mrs. Ly on said,under like
circumstances, why don't yor put things to
rights!' or Go and get the broom this min
ute, and sweep up the room. You're the la
ziest girl that ever lived Many, many
times, as we hive said, had such lal guage
been addressed by Mrs. Lyon, under like cir
cumstances, to julia and her sisters without
producing anything better than CRU nbliGg,
partial execution of her wishes.
But nov, the mild intimation that
the room was in disorder, had the effect de-
sired. Julia went quickly about the work of
restoring things to their right places, and in
4 little while order was apparent where con-
fusion leigued before. Little Tommy,
whose love of hammcring was an incessant
annoyance to his mother, had ceased his din
on her sudden appearance. and, for few
moments, stood in expectation of a boxed ear;
tor time he was puzzled to understand the
new aspect of affairs. Finding he was not
under :he ban, as usual, lie commenced slap
ping stick over the top of an old table, ma
king most ear-piercing noise. INSTANTLY
Julia said, in low voice, to him.
"Don't rommy--dont do that. You know
it makes mothers head ache"
"Does it make your bead ache. morherr
asked the child, curiously, and with plying
tone in his voice, as he came creeping up to