Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-07-09
WHEAT OR TAREs.


Uncle Lincoln to his neice, Mrs. Howard. and
he lifted child, not beyond his fourth sum
mcr upon his knee, and laid one of his hands
amid the golden curls that fell about his
snowy temples.
Wheat | trust, Uncle Lincoln" replied
Mrs Howard, smiling, yet serious. "It is
the enemy who sows tares-and | am his
mother"
There was a glow of proud feeling in the
countenance Of Mrs. Howard, as she said, 81
am his mother"
1t was Mr. Lincoln's first visit to his neice
since her marriage and removal to city some
hundred miles away from her old home.
" Even mothers hand may sow tares,
said the old gentleman. 81 have seen it
done many times Not Of design. but in
thoughtess inattenton to the quality Of seed
she held in her hand. The enemy mixed
tares with the wheat quite as often as he
scatter evil seed. The husbandman must not
only watch his fields BY night and day, but
also the repositories of his ground, least the
enemy cause him TO SOW tares as well as wheat,
upon his own fruitful ground
"Willie, said Mrs. Howard, speaking to
her little boy, about ten minutes afterwards,
"dont upset my work basket stop | say,
you little rogue
Seeinp that the wavward child did not
mean to hear her words the mother started
forward. hut not in time 10 nrevent the snools
of cotton. scissors. emery cushion. etc. from
being scattered about the floor
Willie laughed in great plce at this exploit
while Mrs. Howard gathered up the contents
of the work basket which she now nlaced on
the shelf above the reach of her misehievous
boy. Then she shook her finger at him in
mock resentment saving
You little sinner: If YOU do that again,
I'll send YOU off with the milkman."
"Whoat or tares. Fanny" Uncle Lin
coin looked soberlv at his niece.
"Neithcr." replied Mrs. Howard smiling
railv.
"Tares." said Uncle Lincoln emphatically
" Nonsense. Uncle"
" The tares of disobodieuce. Fanny. You
have planted the seed and it has already TAX
en- root. Nothing will choke ont the wheat
sooner. The tares of falsehood YOU also
throw in upon the newly broken soil What
are You thinking about. my child :"
The tarcs OF falsehood, Uncle Lincoln !
What are you thinking about said Mrs
Howard. in real surprise.
Did YOU not say that YOU would send him
of with the mikman if he did that again !,
| wonder if he believed YOU"
"Of course he did not"
"Then." said Uncle Lincoln, g he has al
ready discovered that his mother makes but
light account Of the truth. Will his mother
be surprised if he should grow up to set small
value on his word :"
You treat this matter too seriously, Uncle
He knows that am only PLAYING with him -
" He knows that Won are telling him what
is not true" replied Mr.. Lincoln.
at was only in sport" said Fanny. per-
sisteutlv.
But in sport with sharp edged instruments
-plavinr with deadly poisons" Fanny I
Fanny Truth and obedience are good seeds !;
falsehood and disobedience are tares from the
Evil One. Whatever YOU plant in the gar
den of your child will grow, and tho harvest
will be wheat or tares. lust as YOU have sown."
Mrs. Howard did not reply. but her coun-
tenance took on sober cast.
willie" said she few minutes afterwards,
4" 90 down to Jane and Tell her to bring me
up a glass of water"
Willie who was amusing himself with some
pictures. looked up on hearing his name
Bnt as he did not feel like going off to the
kitchen he made no response. and let his ewes
turn to the pictures in which he had become
interested.
Williel" Mrs. Howard smoke with de-
cision d" did Won hear mo-"
81 don't want to 90" answered Willie.
"Go this minute !"
Il am afraid"
afraid of WHAT" inquired the mother.
Afraid of the cat"
.. No Won are not. The cat never hurt YOU
or ANYBODY else"
u am afraid of the milkman. You said
he would carry me off"
"The milkman is not down stairs" said
Mrs. Howard. her face beginning to crimson ;
she only comes in the morning"
Yes he is. | heard his wagon little
while ago, and he's talking with Jane now
Don't you hear him :" said the little fellow
with remarkable skill, having all the resem-
bance of truth in his tone and expression.
Mrs. Howard did not look towards her I'm
Gle, she was afraid to do that.
"Willie." the mother spoke very seriously,
you know the milkman is not down stairs,
and YOU known that YOU are not afraid of
the cat. What you have said therefore is not
true: and it is wicked to utter falsehood." -"
"Ho ho!" laughed the bright-eyed little
fellow. evidently amused at his own sharp