The weekly Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1861, 1856-09-11

slumberlng on her bosom. A BOOK lay on
the shelf near where she was sitting, and
Mrs. Lyon, scarcely concious of the act,
reached out her hand for the volume She
opened it without feeling any interest in its
contents, but she had reed only few SEN
tences when this remark arrested her atten.
tion: ... .... -s
'All right government Of children begins
with selt-government.' ..f..
The words seemed written for her, and
the truth expressed was elevated instantly
into perception. She saw il in the clearest
light, and closed the book and bowed her
head in sad acknowledge Of her own
errors. Thus for some time she had been
sitting, when the murmur Of voices from be-
low grew louder and more and more distinct
and she was soon aroused to the painful fact
that, as usual, when left alone, the children
were in o wrangle among themselves
Various noises, as Of pounding on and throw
ing about chairs and other pieces of furni-
ture, were heard, and at length loud
scream, mingled with angry vociferations
smole upon her ears. ..... .......
Indignation swelled instantly in the heart
of Mrs. Lyon; hurriedIy placing the sleep
ing baby in its CRIB, she started for the scene
of disorder, moved by an impulse to punish
severely the young rebels against authority,
and was half way down stairs, when her feet
we're checked by remembrance Of the sen.
tment: 'All right government of children
begins with f-government.'
will anger subtue anger! When storm
meets storm, is the tempest stilledr These
were questions she asked of erselfalmost in
voluntarily. This is no spirit in which to
meet my children. 1t never has, and never
will enforce order and obedience she added
as she stood upon the stairs, struggling with
herself and striving for victory. From the
nursery came louder sounds of Disorder
How weak the mother felt! Yet in this
very weakness was strength.
Il must not stand idle here she said, as a
sharper cry of anguish smote her ears, ant
so she moved on quickly and opening the
nursery door stood revealed to her children
Julia had just raised her hand to strike Emi
ly, who stood confronting her with fiery
face. Both were little startled at theiI
mothers sudden appearance, and both cx
pectng the storm which usually came q
such times, began to assume the defiant
stubborn air with which her Incorporate re
proofs we're always met.
A few moments did Mrs. Lyon stand look
ing at her children-grie!, not anger, npor
her pale countenan How still all became
What look of wonder came gradually int
the chidren's faces, as they glanced one &
the other. Something Of shame was mex
visible. And now the mother was conciou'
OF new power over the young rebels %
her household.
Emily said she, speaking mildly, ont
yet with touch OF sorrow in her voice sht
could not subdu", Il wish you would 60 "
into my room and sit with Mary while sh,
sleeps .a.
Without a sign of opposition or even oI
reluctance. Emily went quietly from the nur
sery, in obedience to her mothers desires
This room is very much in disorder, Ju
lia.'
Many times had Mrs. Lyon said, unde
like circumstances, why don't you pu
things to rights!' or 4 never saw such girls
If all the room was topsy ,turvey, and til
floor an inch thick with dirt, you'd neve
turn over hand to put things in order,' oil
go and get the broom this moment, an
sweep up the ROOM Many, many times
as we have said, had such language bee
addressed by Mrs. Lyon, under like circum
stances, to Julia and her sisters, withou
producing anything but partial execute
of her wishes. Put now the mild inlimatio
that the room was in disorder, produced til
! ELECTS desired. Julia went quickly abou
the restoring Of things to the right places
and in few minutes order was apparer
where confusion reigned before. Littl
Tommy whose love of hammerng was
incessant annoyance to his mother, cease
his din on her sudden appearance, and for
few moments stoodip expectation of boxe
ear; for time he was puzzled to under
stand the new aspect of affairs. Findin
that he was not under the ban as usual, h
commenced slopping stick over the top
an old table producing most ear-piercin
noise. Instantly Julia said in low voc
, to him,
Don't, Tommy, don't do that. You kno
it makes mothers head ache
Does it made your head ache, mother
asked the child curiously, and with pityin
, tone in his voice, as he came creeping up
his mothers side, and looking at her as il
doubt whether he would be repulsed or no
Sometimes it does, my son. replied MIR
/, Lyon, kindly, 'and it is always unpleasan
r Won't you try o.play without making
!, much noise?'
) Yes, mother, I'll try answered the lit
fellow, cheerfulIy. 'But I'll forget SOM
times.'3.. ~. agas eI acitHm IT.
J He looked earnestly at bis mothsf, as
something more was in his thoughts.
: We'll, dear, what elseP said she encour'