The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-05-23
LEARNING TOO LATE.
From the y. T.. Farmer


From the y. +. Farmer
Move rOurd-movc into the corner vou
are always in the way. should think had
told YOU often enough that cannot have YOU
stuck down in front Of the stove every morn
irg. What's the reason YOU re Eot out doing
Your chores. instead Cf being in other peoples $
wav9 Now start yourself. about the quick
est. ard give the COWS their carrots: ard try
in future and see if YOU can't have some kind
of order about YOU.
These words were spoken in 4 loud. harsh
tone. bv a father to his only son. whose feel
ings. if they are as rufflcd as his brow. arc
none Of the smoothcst.
don't stop to pout. but go this instant or
You'll be sorry.
No gentle slam of the door followed James
exit as with u suppressed mutter. the onl!
words of which we caught. were. so cross
Yourself" he proceeded to the cellar Tor the
roots ard thence to the barn on his way
he me, = relative of the family. who was slight
IL" out of sorts.
Gold enough for You this morning. JIM
Oh? ?'
James did no, understand the remark. for
to tell the truth it was so cold that nclt
John. in his hurry. did not get his mouth fair
lv oic:l. and the words were irdis;irctly III
tered He heard James nauttcr something
Ike don't care" a> hc entered the house
where he found his bro;he--n- law sitting b,
the fire.
PITY tha, boy has 60: such :: temper.
WHO. James >" asked Mr.. HYDE.
WHY. YES He w;> mad Is 4 hawk JUS
now. as | cane in. don't know as l said
ANYTHING to rilc him. hU; rather guess his
nature is pretty fiery. amt Ii? None Of N.
business. though. mcddling with other folks
children: let every ore take care of their own
OF course. YOU know as well a> |. that it Is
( best while they are vcun., 10 tram their tcm-
pcrs. and mend their manners.
"W'n. vc>. | suppose 50. replied Mr.. H.
We didn't get much time when We were
wong 10 >ii round or fool away. Gracious.
how the -;mcS have changed >ii.cc then. ard
none for the better. I'm thinking. liz, rot in
favor of being hard with children. hut when
the parent saws go. it ought TO he 60. upon
the instant. too: that's the thing. They must
be drove right into work. or they II never have
roi:>!. Cor ii.
"Ccrtainly." replied the father.
New Jim is as bright a boy. resumed
Uncle John. as You will see in hundred. but
| rather guess vou will have to keep 4 pretty
tight rein. and carry considerable of stead.
head with Kim think more Of thirSs. you
Sec because he is the only one that YOU have
10 depend upon 10 bear the family name. Ii
| lad children of ny own. they should walk
straightcr than some. or | would krcw the
reason.
I'm rot afraid. resumed Mr.. Hyde. J." to
pu, NY boy by the side Of any twelve year
old boy for S,nar,nes>. tell You when he
has mind to do. he can't he beat. What he
has will to do. is done. ard done first best
too.
Yes. but doesn't he sometimes sliirk lit
tlc9"
We'll. TO don't think he docs: no. there
amt drcp of lazy blood in his veins. Jane.
is rot altogether so strong rs some boys of
his acc-l never let him know. though. but
what he is strong as Sampson. He'll grow
strong. hv-ant-bv if he doesn't get it into hi.
head that he Is; slender.
We'll. NAV he he docs take some after Iii:
: mothcr-vou Know Hannah never did have
very strong constitution"
l.
l took his hat. for Il tender chord was touched
and Il little rudcly. too lie thought Of hi
l dead wife. upon whose grave. for the first time
: like d mantle of charity. lay pure. whit
b. covering. As he left the house and cncoun
: tered the keen and piercing wintry air. non
a hut kind. tender and loving feelings toward
. his boy mingled with those of sadness. as h
thought of the dying request Of his gifted an
lovely wife
y Had Mr.. HYDE followed his impulses. h
would then have sought James and spoke
: words of kindness. which would have bee
magical wordS--vcs. balm of more virtue t
Il heal his irritated and wounded spirit. tha
d would have been ten thousand prcccpts IL,
tered while the parent himself was in a vcxc
d and angry mood.
:. James. after chewing the command of hi
:: father. instead of performing the other littl
: duties which he seldom. almost never. ncglec
e cd went to neighbor's. where. since hi
= mothers death. he had spent many happ
hours.
d Mr.. HYDE soon left for the village. an
o James. seeing him pass. resolved that he woul
T Immediately return home. ard do hi
chores but as he sat hy the stove warmin
his fingers. his eyes fell upon a book whic
Mrs. W. raised. as she busted the mantl,
shelf
;, What is that. Mrs. Wintcr??- said he. {
he reached up his hand for the book
at Is" said Mrs. Winter, "ou
d Henry sent it up to us. l knew YOU woul
be after it the first thing. dear. YOU were a
l. ways SO fond of reading books of history"
= James looked it over with an cagernc.
& which he always cvinccd when new book q
interest fell into his hand Without sayin
ANYTHING further, he commenced reading, an
o become SO completely absorbed with the glow
l. ing accounts of the writer. that the old cloc
struck twelve. ere he left his chair. or though
d of home. This James did not hear. but Au,
h Maria.as James sometimes called her. althous
no relative. came from the other room, whc,
S. she had been busy. She hcsitatcd Cor a m,
h ment, is his dark eyes, full of meaning. G,
If panded and sparkled as he read, and the
u spoke gently.
f James. l suppose your father will be
Re home to dinner, won't ?"
# James looked up for moment, and fixir
e his large eyes upon her. asked.
It What did YOU say. aunt?"