Anti-slavery bugle. [volume] (New-Lisbon, Ohio) 1845-1861, 1857-04-04
MAY BE sO"-A STORY FOR MOTHERS.

Ana QafkneSS Ieel ueep OIL tbe ehore'
MAY BE sO"-A STORY FOR MOTHERS.
Next time you go out. you'll Suy me a wagon.
won't you, mother?" said my little boy to me
one day.
| didn't want to say "no," and destroy his hap
py feelings, and | was not prepared to say yes"
and so | gave the evasive reply SO often used I'M
der such circumstances-''May be so," and which
was meant rather as a negative than an afirma-
tive. The child was satisfied for he gave my
words the meaning he wished them to have. In
a little while after, | had forgotten all about it
Not SO my boy. To him the may be SO" was
yes" and he set his heart confidently on reciev-
ing the wagon the next time | should go out
This happened to be on the afternoon of that
very day. 1t was toward evening when ] return
ed. The moment | heard his patterink feet and
gleeful voice in the entry.
Where is my wagon ?" said he, rs | entered. n
shade OF disappointment falling suddenly upon his
excited, happy face.
What wagon, dear ?"
"My wagon. The wagon you promised to buy
me-"
~ didn't promise to buy you q wagon, my
son."
20, yes you did, mother. You promised me
this morning"
Il promised to buy you d wagon? am sure
[ remember nothing about it," | replied, conf
IDENTIFY. What in the world put that in your
head ?"
Didn't I ask you :" said the child, the tears
overlooking his cheek.
"Yes. l believe you did ask me something about
q wagon but | didn't promise to buy you one"
20, yes you did mother. You said, may be
so.'"
"But may be So dosen't mean yes"
At this the little fellow uttered a distressing
cry. His heart was almost broken by disappoint-
ment. lie had interpreted my words according to
his own wishes, and not according to their real
j meaning.
r Unprepared for an occurrence of this kind, /
b was not in the mood to fully sympathize with my
=. child. To be met thus, at the moment of my re-
turn home disturbed me.
{ II didn't promise to buy you q wagon and you
/ must stop crying about it," said /, seeing that he
s had given way to his feelings, and was crying in
4 a lond voice.
D things, and he followed, still crying.
You must hush now" said | moro positively.
e Il cannot permit this. / never promised to buy
v you a wagon"
> You said, may be so" sobbed The child.
Il May he So and yes are two different things.
If 1 had said | would buy you q wagon, there
would have been some reason in your disappoint.
ment, but have said no such thing"
lie had paused 70 listen but as l ceased speak
o ing. his crying was renewed.
you must stop this now There is no use in il
d and | will not have it," said |, resolutely.
My hoy choked down for a few momets, at this
% and haifstihed his grief but overmastering him
d it flowed on again as wildly as ever. / felt impa
h tient.
% stop this moment, l say % and took hold Of
his arm firmly. My will is strong, and when q
little excited it often leads me beyond where
would go in moments of reflection. By my way
ie of speaking. he saw that | was in earnest, and i
h he did not obey me, punishment void follow. So
n with what must have been a powerful effort FOL
!" one so young, he stifed the utterance of his grief
n Rnt tho storm rupa1 within nOpa the less yinlpntl,
m and | could see his little frame culver ae he stroy'
ce to repress the rising sobs.
Turning away from me, he went and sat dow
on a low seat in the corner Of the room. i saw hi
SO form in the glass as | stood before it to arrang
he my hair, after laying aside my bonnet; and 70
IL the first time my feelings were touched. Their
20 WAS an abandonment in his whole attitude al
80 air of grief about him that affected me with pit
and tenderness.
~ "Poor child" / sighed. "his heart is almos
T. broken. | ought to have said yes, or no; an
then all would have been settled"
Come" said /. after a few moments. reach;n
W. my hand towards the chill, 'let US go down an
Il. look out for father. He will soon be home"
l spoke kindly and cheerfully. Blu, he nei,he
moved, looked up, nor gave the smallest sign tina
he heard me.
10, WELL" said ], with some impatience in m
T. voice. lit doesn't matter at all. Ii you had ratl
er sit there than come down into the parlor an
look for dear father. you can please Yourself"
as, Turning as | spoke, ! left the chamber and WEI
IN down Stairs. Seating myself at n window, I lool
re- ed forth and endeavored to feel unconcerned an
rs cheerful. / saw nothing but the face of my grie
lus ing child. and could think of nothing but his SO
nd row and disappointment
m. Nancy" said 1, to one Of my domestics wi
he happened to come into the parlor and ask IL
in some questions, Il wish you would run down
cir the store, next block, and buy Noddy a wagon
In His heari is almost broken about one"
'er The girl, always willing when kindly spoken
U; ran off 20 obey my wishes, aud in u little viii
&C. came back with the article.
eG "Now." said |. Ego into my room ond tell Ne
De- dy that Pve something for him. Don't mentic
a the wagon / want to take him by surprise"
ad Nancy went bounding up stairs, and | place
the wagon in The center of the room, where
lin would meet the child's eyes on the moment of h
,m entrance, and then sat down to await his comir
IRE and enjoy his surprise and deli ,ht.
by After the lapse Of about a minute, l heard Ma
a cy coming slo sly.
ks "Neddy's asleep" said she, looking in at Il
ors door.
y; "Asleep !" 1 felt greatly disappointed.
pie "Yes ma'am. He was on the floor asleep.
he took him up and laid him on your bed"
the ''Then he's over his troubles" said | attemptir
ats to find relief for my feelings in this utterance.-
Up, Bnt no such relief came.
snu Taking the wagon in my hand, | went up to II
chamber where he lay, and bent over him. III
'" signs Of grief were still upon his innocent fac
land every now and then . faint sigh or sob ga