Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1855-12-13

after years, will not sigh heave their
bosom as that painful reflection looks out
upon them from amid the deurer remem-
srances of childhood
a woman with good impulses, but with
scarcely, any control, was Mrs Lyon. She
loved her children, and desired their .rood
lhat they showed co little !orbearanceo ono
with the other, manifested so little fratern-
al affection, grieved her deeply.
! MY whole life is made unhappy by it,"
she would often say, "NVhat is to be donel
1t is dreadful to think of a family growing
up in discord and disunion. Sister at vari-
ence with sister, and brother lifting his
hand against brother"
As was usual after an ebulltion OF pas
sion Mrs. Lyon, deeply depressed in spirits
as well as discouraged. retired from her
family to grieve and weep. Eiltirg the
frightened baby from the floor she drew its
head tenderly against her bosom, and leav-
ing the nursery sought the quiet of her
own room. There in humiliation, she re-
called the stormy scene thro' which she
had just passed, and blamed Aercelf for
yielding bindly to passion instead of meet
ing the trouble among her children with a
quiet discrimination.
10 weeping calmness succeeded. Still.
she was perplexed in mind, as well as
grleved at her own want of selr-conlrol--
what was to be dono with her chiJren?-
How were they to be governed aright!-
Painfully did she feel her own unftness
tor the task. BY this time the baby was
tsleep, and the mother felt something of
that tranquil peace that every true mother
knows, when a young babe is slulnbcring
on her bosom. a book lay on a shelf near
were she was sittir g, and Mrs. Lyon,
scarcely conscious of the act reached out
her hand for the volume. She opened il
without feeling any interest in its contents
but she had only read a few sentences
when this remark arrested her attention:
"AIl right government of children begins
with self-governmeut
The words seemed written for her, and
the truth expressed was elevated instantly
into perception. She saw it in the coares;
light, and closed the book and bowed her
head in sad acknowledgment Of her own
errors. Thus Tor some time, she had been
sitting, when the murmur ul voices from
below grew more and more distinct. and
she was soon arnused to the painful fact
that. as usual, when left alone, the child
rem were wraugling among themselves. -
Various noises, as of pounding on, and
throwing about chairs, end other pieces OF
furniture we're heard. and at length a loud
scream. mingled with angry vocilerations
snote upon her ear.
Indignation sweiIed instantly in the heart
of Mrs. Lyon, and hurriediy placing the
sleeping babe in its crib, she started for
the scene q, disorder, moved by an Impulse
TO punish severely the young reD",s al
gainst her authority, and was half way
dowc stairs, when her feet were checked |
by remembrance of the sentiment
"All right government of children begins
with sel-go"ernmcnt."
"Will anger subdue anger! When storm
meets storm is the tempest stiled" These
were questions asked Of herself, almost in.
voluntarily. "rhis is no spirit in which to
meet my children. 1t never has, never will
enforce order and obedience" she added, as
abe stood upon the stairs, struggling with
herself, and striving for the victory. From
the nursery came louder sounds of disorder
How weak the mother felt! Yet in this
very weakness was strength.
81 must not stand IDLY here,' she said,
as a sharper cry of anguish smote her ears
and 50 she moved on quickly, and opening
the nursery door. stood revealed to her
child'cn Julia had just raised her hand to
strike Emily who stood confronting her
with a fiery face. 9th were a little start
led at their mothers sudden appearances and
beth, expecting tie storm which usually
came at such lines, began to assume the
defiant, stubborn air with which her inten-
perate reproots were always met.
A few mowcnts aid Mrs. Lyon stand
looking at her children-griel, not anger,
upon ,her pale countenunCe. How sill, ali
became. What look of wonder came
gradually into the ch,Iren's faces, as they
glanced one at the ether. Something of
shame was next visible. And now, the
mother was conscious of IA new power over
the young rebels OF her household.
emily" said she, speaking mildly aud
yet with a touch u: sorrow in her voice
she could not subduc, II wish you would
go up into my room and sit with Mary
while she sleeps"
WITHOUT s'SP OF opposition, or even OF
reluctance, Emily went quietly from the
nursery, in obedience to her mothers de-
sres.
"This room is very much in disorder,
Julia
Many times Mrs. Lyon said, under like
circumstances, "why don't you .put things
to rights! Or | never saw such girls! II
all in the room was topsy turvey, aud the
! floor an inch thick with dirt, would never
| turn over \ hand to put things to ordcr,"
or, go and get the broom, this minute,
and sweep up the room. You're the la
ziest gIrl that ever lived" Many, many
,imes as We have said, had such Language
been addressed by Mrs. Lyon under ike
circumstances to Julia aud her sisters,
without producing anything better than
grumbliEg, partial execution Of her wish
es. But now the mild intimatiol that The
| in, bisnrIar Ill a.. r.