Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1858-06-04

morbid force. We should not repress ac.
tivity. but seek TO give it right direction.
1 will venture to affirm, Anna. that If
when We went into the library just now,
We had entered with some manifestation
OF interest in what John was doing, and
then pleasantly explained to him that the
use he was making of his fathers books
was injuring them, and that he must re.
turn them to the library. he, without a
word Of objection. would have obeyed.
There would have been, in that case, no
material injury sustained through an ex-
citement OF passionate temper. The
sky OF his mind would have remained
clear, aud sweet peace would now be in
bis heart, instead of sullen rebellion.
Dear sister. child's immortal soul is
more precious thing than whole libraries
of costly of books, or even the rich fur.
niture in kings parlor. While we re-
gard his external surroundings with due
regard to order. and prevent, as we'll for
his sake. as for these, disordered and
blind destruction, we must never regret
that the jewels are more to be regarded
than the casket. A scratched table, a
torn or defaced book. or even a costly
thing broken, are small evils, compared
with scratched. defaced or disordered
mind. Forgive me for saying it, my
sister. have always thought that parents
are most to blame for the tempers and
passionate outbreaks of their chiI>
dren; this little trouble with John only
contirms the opinion. sa; it kindly :;
nay. Anna. in tender love. Be not hurt.
then. but for the sake Of your bright.
beautiful boy. lay up my words in your
heart
The mother sat sober and thoughtful.
Her sister had not spoken in vain. The
trath had awakened conviction. Sudden
ly rising and kissing he, siste. in token
OF forgiveness. she left the room and went
to the library. John WAS still lying up
on the floor where he had thrown him
self. But he had ceased crying. He
heard his mothers footsteps. but did not
move. Experience had taught him that
reproof. it might be punishment, was in
store for him so he awaited in sulIen
silence for whatever unpleasant conse.
qnence might come.
John !! 1t was a low, soft. tender.
almost sad voice. and the word was spo.
ken close to his eur. He started in sud
den surprise, and raised bis face from the
floor.
Come. dear The voice was even
tender; and warm hand grasped his
with firm pressure.
oh. mother ! the child started up with
his exclamation. and in passion of tears,
threw his arms about her neck. and hid
his face in her bosom. Tightly she held
him there and lovingly she kissed his
pure forehead.
i didn't mean to do wrong, mother !
said the boy. Il love to build houses {:
and father said yesterday. that If l didn't
hurt the books, 1 might have some of
them
The mother only kissed him again in
token Of love. and drew her arms the
more tightly around him. What could
she say to words which came to her ears
with such cutting rebuke =?
You To- me, NC: her. don't you q asked
the child.
Yes. dear. yes! Better than all the
the world was the almost sobbing an
swer.
And l love you mother, and I'll try
to be good always. Won't you ask ia
er to buy me some building blocks. and
then I'll not want his books? p
Yes. you shall have boxful to>mor-
row.
you're a good mother said little John.
Only sometimes-.'
The child paused as il in doubt.
Only what. dear p
You won't be angry if I say it. will
you?
'No-no, dear, say on
Only sometimes you scold me so, and
jerk me up when amt doing any harm
as can see. And then 1 get so mad
| can't help it. And l am sorry. o,
dearl wish never was mad 7
Aud with half shudder, as ii some
very painful idea were forced upon his
mind, little Johnny buried his face close
down upon his mothers bosom again,
and lay there very still.
No more words passed then between
the mother and the child; but scales had
been removed from the mothers vision,
and she saw that her precious boy had
generous feelings and right impulse, and
that for his many exhibitions Of natural
quick temper, she was most to blame,
Thanks for your truthful words, dear
sister ! she said little while Afterwards,
L shall have cause to bless you in all
time to come.'
And it was even so.