The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1857-06-03
Yes, but doesn't he sometimes shirk

well. no, I don't think he does no,
there amt drop of lazy blood in his
veins James is not altogether 80 strong
as some boys of his age--I never let
him know, though. but what he is strong
as Sampson He'll grow strong. by and.
by, if be doesu't get it into his head that
he is slender
We'll, may be he does take some af
ter his mother-you know Hannah new
or did have very strong constitution.
AS this remark was made, Mr.. II rose
and took his hat for tender chord was
touched and ittlo rudely. H. thought
tf his dead, wife, upon whose grave, for
the first time, like mantle of charity,
lay ruro white covering. AS ho left
the house and encountered tho keen and
piercing wintty mir, none but kind, ien.
der aud loving feelings towards his boy
mingled with those Of sadness, as he
thought Of the dying request Of his gil.
ted lovely wife.
Had Mr. Hyde followed bis impulses.
he would then have sought James and
spoken words Of Kindness, which would
have been magical words-yes, a balm
Of mole virtue to heal his irritated and
wounded spirit, than would have been
ten thousand preoep's uttered while the
parent bimself was in vexed and angry
mood.
James, after obeying the command of
his father. instead performing the 9th.
er little duties which he seldom almost,
never. neglected. went to u neighbours,
where, since his mothers death, he had
spent many happy hours.
Mr. Hyde soon left for the village,
and James, seeing him pass, resolved that
hr would Immediately return home. and
do his chores , but as be sat by the
stove warming his fingers, his eyes foil
upon book which Mrs ~ raised, as
she busted the mantleshelf.
What is that, Mrs. Winter p said ha.
as be reached up his hand for the book
1t s----,' said Mrs Winter, our
Henry sent it up to US. | knew you
would be after it the first thing, dear.
you were always so fond Of reading books
of history
james looked it over with an eager
nesf which be always evinccd when
new book of interest fell into his hand
Without saying anything further. ho
commenced reading, and became so com
pletely absorbed with the glowing ac,
counts of The writer that the old clock
struck twelve, ere he left his chair. or
thought of home. This James did not
hear but Aunt Maria, as James some.
times called her. although no relative,
came from the othsr room, where she had
been busy She hcsitated for n moment
as his dark eyes, full of meeuing. expan-
ded and sparkled as he read, aud then
spoke gently.
james, suppose your f,her will be
at home to dinner, won't hep
James looked up for a moment and
fixing lis largo eyes upon her. asked,
What did you say. auntP
Why dear, yonr father viii be home
to dinner. won't he 2
Father dinner why, what time is
it p and his eye turned to the clock,
Mercy why didn't you tell inc ? |
forgot all about everything o dear,
has father gone home2'
No; at least he has not, unless he
has gone the other road-he has not
been by here SO hurry.
d mt lose my place, aunt please put
a mark in where I've left i. open. O, it
is splendid book
Why, here, you may take the book
home child
No, no, / don't want to, l bad a
great deal rather read it up here he
said. as he darted from the door and ran
home with all possible speed.
His countenance fell, as lie saw at
once that he was too late, for there was
his fathers sleigh in the yard.
'Oh dear, now | shall have to take it
thought be- am so forgetful-what a
fool | was that | didn't do the chores
before | went up there but was pro.
voked, and | am always forgetting
With these unpleasant thoughts ming
led with sad forebodng. James found
his faher had performed the duties which
ho had neglected, James was really sor-
ry, and resolved, as he entered the house,
to apologize 10 his father and promise
better for the future, Mr., Hyde was
reading his paper, when James stood be-
fore him aud commenced speaking.
Stop, stop said his father, as ho
held his paper one side, and lowering
bis brow directed long, steady, stern
glance at his son james returned the
glance with look of modification ming
led with fear, and perhaps little def
ance. Each understood the feeling o.
the other-perhaps better thanbis owu
or words there was no need.
Strange, passing strange that the ten
derest emotions--the kiudest aud bcs
feelings of the parents heart, win b,
checked under the mistak,n n notions O
right aud duty.
Loving and beloved, brief words,
And yet they touched on all the finer chords
Whose music is our happiness.
Several days passed and James dic
not call at neighbor VS.. 10 fact h
had been forbidden TO 90 there BY hi
father for a certain number Of days, a
apunIshmen, for his negligence the morn
ing he was last there The timo havin,
expired, aud with his fathers permission
| he is Duain saoted OF evanip1 he Mrs