Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1857-11-04
The Manners of the Mother Mould the Child.


There is no disputing this fact it shines in
the face of every little child. This coarse
brawling, scolding woman will have vicious,
brawling, fighting, children. She who cries on
every occasion, "l'll box your ears-Ill slap
your jaws-I'll break your neck" is known as
thoroughly through her children as if her un-
womanly manners were openly displayed in the
public street.
These remarks were suggested by converse
tion in an omnibus-that noble institution for
the student of men and manners-between
friend and schoomaster Our teacher was
caustic, mirthful and sharp. His wit flashed
like the polished edge of diamond, and Kept
the 'buss in roar" The entire community or
insiders-and whoever is intimate with those
conveyances can form pretty good idea OF our
numbers-inclusive of the zone more" 80 well
known to the fraternity, their heads, eyes ana
ears one way, and finally our teacher said
can always tell the mother by the boy
The urchin who draws back with double nsts
and lunges at his playmate If he looks al n MN
askance, has very questionable mother. one
may feed and clothe him, cram him with sweet
meats, and coax him with promises; but II she
gets mad she fights. She will pull him oy the
jacket, she will give him knock on the oacN'
she will drag him by the hair, she VIII can nun
all sorts of wicked names, while passion plays O.,
yer her face in lambent flames that curl ana
writhe out the corners of her eyes.
And we never see the courteous little fellow
with smooth locks and gentle manners, IN whom
decacy does not detract from courage ana man
illness, but we say ''that boys mother Is true
lady, Her words and ways are soft, loving, and
quiet. If she reproves, her language is, my
son'-not You little wretch...plague OF my lie
you torment-you scamp"
She hovers before him as a pillar OF light De-
fore the wandering Israelites and her beams are
reflected in his face. To him the word mother
is synonymous with everything pure, sweet ana
beautiful. Is he an artist In after life the face
that with holy radiance shines on his canvass
will be the mothers face Whoever fits across
his path with sunny smiles, and soft, low
voice will bring his mothers image freely to his
breast. She is like my mother, will be the
highest need OF his praise. Not even when tne .,;
hair turns silver and the eyes grow aim, wiz
the majesty of that life and presence desert MN
Rut the Ruffian mother-alas that there are
such-wil form the rufian character OF the
man. He, in turn, will become o merc,iess
tyrant with tongue sharper than two-edgeo
sword. and remembering the brawllng and the
cutting, seek some meek, gentle victim fol
the sacrifice, and make her his wife upon th'
condition that he shall be the master. Ant
master he is for few short years, when he wear
the widower's weed till he finds victim mum
Der two.
We wonder not there are so many awkward
ungainly men in society-they have been train
ed by women who Do not care for the holy na
ture of their trust They have been made BIZ
ter to the hearts core, and that bitterness Wi
find vent and Judgement somewhere.
Strike the infant in anger, and he will, if b
cannot reach you, vent his passion by beatin
the floor, the chair or any inanimate thing with
in reach. Strike him repeatedly and by tn
time he wears shoes he will be little bull.
with hands thatdouble to fight as naturally as
especial pains had been taken to learn him CO
art Of boxing.