The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1857-03-14
" The Chores. ="

so the other day-he's acted like fool eve
since"
"IlI fix him"
"But father, don't he grow worse for whip
ping?"
"Ah. he's knowing animal-getting alto
gether too smart"
"Well. l think he will profit by expert
ence' and keep out of the way, judging of hi.
actions lately (soho roce) don't believe of
making brute of myself, by beating brute
as father did that steer"
"John, we must try and get him in-pu
on Your coat and help me. can make him
march,"
"Well, but if were the poor steer should
rather stay out doors than suffer such a
thrashing as you gave him the other dav
| don't blame him for not going n-beleve
should rebel myself"
"He didn't get more than he deserved
lie knows bis place as we'll as do, and III
teach him to take It."
The father is teaching the boy lesson he
would sometime in the future have him for
get They 20 towards the barn-the fathe
with firm excited step-the son with hi:
hands in his pockets. and a countenance in.
aicat'n9 his desires are not to witness the
''ronquerins" of the steer They enter I he
yard-"llere you are, are you 2" exclaim.
the sire in voice hardly human. while the
steer bounds to the other side of the yard a.
though pursued by an engine. John. open
that door and stand the other side of it, and
We will see whether he will 90 in or not and
srizlng a stake, the chase commences. Round
and round the yard, pursued by the farmer
goes the animal, without once noticing the
door. lie remembers the beating and shun:
the spot. " hz goes the stake, and strike.
against the fence-then a stone, which
strikes the horn OF the animal Just as ht
starts for the door. and turns him staggering
from his course.
You won't 90 in will you9 Won't, vii
you? Wen see. Well See" and the blow:
fall thick and fast upon the offending animal
lie is fastened,and cringin:, receives kick
and blow as a partin. salute, with the sen
tence, "There you'll fast sir, to night, fol
this. Ill teach you to walk In and take youl
supper when other cattle do, or 90 without
John don't stop to see the flows or listen
to the sentence. but thrusfs his hands into hi.
pockets and walks into the house. and sober.
ly saws, IL do wish father would use little
reason himselt-if he would | do not thirk
he would find his cattle so unreasonable.
believe 1t Is the treatment they receive from
hlm that makes them sO-there. what's that :
(goes to the door to listen)-"O. its father
whipping the horsrS-must be refreshing TO
be wakened from their dreams in that man
ner. tell YOU mother. if had a stock of
cattle, and a hired man should treat them as
father does his, would discharge him forth
wlth-wouldn't have him on the farm at ar.v
price-irs brutal to-"
NV hats that, John ."
~ -Lh" .L:-L~ :. L,.... l. ..-., ~, -,
beat stock says it makes them WORSE" say.
tn" mother in a tone of anoogy.
"Yes, not only worse, father, but makes
the man, who does it. a worse man every
time he induIges his temper in such out
breaks"
"Perhaps YOU think l have done wrong in
conqnerng that internal steer? | should
like to know who had lived the longest-you
or mr ~
"lou father, Of course. and ought to be nv
senior IN sense, but can't help feeling bad
yes guilty, when see an animal pounded as
you pounded that one tonight. | believe it
is wrong"
This resulted in moodiness in the whole
family. John went to bed. The mother and
daughters resumed their sewing around the
''l'.ht stand" discussing and giving drec-
tlons TO each o'fer in a whisper or semi-tone
" hlle the father touk the Farmer to read.
but could not He finally dropped it on his
lap and fell to thinking. The
gIrls had retired The chapter had been
read, the prayer made, and it was character
'zed with good deal OF penitence, and ex-
preSSlOnS Of unworthnpss.
Mother, John is right have been act
ing like tool. The boy is right He shall
never see me beat another animal as did
that one. Would stand by and see HIM
beat one so mo indeed John is right
its the last time. My cows and horses are
poor, and NV steers in good running order, as
have had occasion to test, while Calico
GIvrmuchs stock is as tat as they need be-
hat bov has opened my eyes, he shall have
the best COW have got for the lesson"
e" ny, don't believe you were very hard
were YOU"
~ rs wife, | was, but it shall not be SO
again. The truth Is, NAN don't know how
hard he strikes or how ridiculous he appears
when excited as ! was tonight. 1t is folly,
and have been fool | will convince John
that think he Is my senior in sense. Don t
you suppose ! would call a neIohbor inhuu,xn
II were to see him beating his cattle IN that
manner! Of course should. and speak it
right out. too. But have not got a neigh
Dor that would do as have done tonight
see 1t all. John shall not have occasion to
rebuke his father again for that sin. 1t is
>n, and God forgive me lie don't treat
his creatures in that manner. profess to
follow him. All wife, it is humiliation. Yes,
God bless that noble boy tor his expression
of disapprovaI."
Reader. does it apply? Is it a home
thrust We hope you have no reason to ap
propr'a'e this to yourself. But if ysu have
will you profit by it? Your heart is as
arse as any body's. Your sympathies and
noble impulses as free and flowing. But Won
Pe'"dps hpgiect 10 control YOUR
'eit-forget you are made after the image OF
your Maker. and that he regards such exhi-
oi''ons as are described above, with pity and
lispleasure.
Then it does not profit you. Every blow
'ou strike, every inhuman act, deteriorates
our property in va|ue-takes large per
'e"t' from your profits. But reverse the
Practice and you prosper. No mistake, sir,
''ndness adds its proportion of flesh to YOUR
r'mal, and a large proportion, too. You
re not altogether master but servant to the
n'mal- steward and provider. God has CIV
n you this relation. Fulfil its duties.-Pra.
re Farmer