Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1857-12-15
DECEIvING CHILDREN.

was spending few days with an intimate
Iriend, and never did I see more systematic
housewife, and what, then seemed to me. one
VINO had so quiet and complete control Of her
cnlld. But the secret OF the latter I soon
learned One evening she wished to spend with
me at a neighbOr sit was small social gath
ering OF friends, therefore she waa very desir-
Gus OF attending; but her child demanded her
presence with him, and hearing him say his
prayers she said
" Willie. did you not see that pretty little
kitten in the street to-day?''
Yes, l did he replied; & I wish I had
her wasn't she pretty ?;i %
les, very now don't you want me to buy
the kitten for you Perhaps the man will sell
her" -
%: yes, mother, do buy her" ..;
w ell, then, be good boy while am gomez
thus saying, she closed the door, but he imme-
diately called her back. ....'---0
Don't go till morning, then can 60 with
you won you stay ~ lao as -.
g No Willie; the man won t sell IL If don't
go tonight; so be good boy
he SAID NO more, but quietly lay down.
Is this the way you govern your child 1'
said 1, after we had gained the street g If
you but knew the injury you are doing, YOU
would take q different course"
? injury she repeated, what harm have
l done L did not tell him l ,conld see the
mani only asked him If l shOuld.''
I p" But You gave him to understand that Won
would. He 10 not old enough to detect the DIFF
ference now, but he soon will be- Then fear
you will perceive your error too late You have
yourself grated n thorn in the young rose.
which Will eVentually pierce you most bitterly.
You cannot break off the thorn, or club the
point, to make it less piercing. On your re
turn he will not see the kitten. therefore Won
will have to invent another falsehood to conceal
the 6rst.
We had now gained our friends door. which
ended our conversation. During the evening
she seemed gayer than usual Nv words had
little or no effect upon her. She did not think
her little one was doing all he could to keep
awake to see the coveted kitten on her return.
wondering what made mother gone so long >,
1t was late ere l reminded her we ought to re
turn. But little was said during our home
ward walk. She went noiselessly into the room.
suRPosing her boy asleep; but he heard her and
Mother. is that you? Have YOU brought
the kitten kept awake to see it, and Was
so sleepy ~
:" No, my dear the man would not sell her ,,
= Why won't he, mother" he asked with
quivering lips.
i | don't know: 1 suppose he wants her to
catch rats and mice >
Did he say so, mother"
: he did not say Just that but thought he
DIPnht so" nv
did want il so bad mother The little
lips quivered, and the tears started to his ewes
lie rubbed them with his little hands yink;np
very fast TO keep them back, but they would
come; at length be fell asleep with the pearIy
drops gilstening on his rosy cheeks The moth
er gllstenng also. As she knelt to kiss them
away, ne murmured softly in his broken sIum-
Der, II did want it so bad" She turned her
deWy eyes toward me, saying
1ou have led me to see my error Never
will | again, let what will be the consequence,
deceive my child to please myself
Mother are you practising the same decep-
tion III you are, pause and think of the con
sequence ere 1t is too late. Does it not lessen
your confidence in person when you find ont
they have been deceiving you Will it not
also that of your children in von. when thew
become old enough to detect it! Besides, it
would be very strange if they themselves did
not initiate you in things Of more Importance.
Ii is the pride and joy Of the mothers heart
to gain and retain the entire confidence Of her
child and it is in her power to do so if she bu t
exercise that power by precept and example O.
n. L. Indepsndent.