The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1858-01-13
Decelving Children.

II
/ was spending few days with an init
mats friend, and nevetadid see . more
systcmatjc housewife. and what then SEEM
ed to me- one who h.ld 80 qaiet and COM
plete control Of her child. Bat the Sc i
cret of the latter I soon learned. One
evening she wished TO spend with me at !,
. ncighbor's it was q small social gath
erine Of friends, therefore shs vas very
desirous of attending; bat her child de-
maHded her presence with him, and hear
ing him say Ais prayers she said:-
willie. did ron not see That pretty lit !
tle kitten in the street Today a4
Yes, ftiid." he replied; II wish had
her; wasn't she. pretty ~
aYes,. reTy: now don't You want me to
bdytbe kitty for you! Perhaps the man
viii sell he:.y,
30, yes, mother. do bny her,
snwell. then, be good boy while am
gone;' thus saying. she closed the door,
buthe Immediately called her back.
assDont go till morning. then can go
with you: won't you stays"s e as
sGNo, Willie! the man won't sell it If !
don't go to-nighs; so be a good boy"
He,said no more. but anietly lay down.
.sIs this the way you govern your child!"
said r. after We had gained the street; 'if
yop Buts knew the Injury you are doing,
yop would take different course"
salrjnry. she repeated, ''why what harm
Raved done! did not tell him ] .coutd
ses the mani only asked him if should
-s:sBut you gave, him to understand that
yeuswould.s lie is, not old enough to de-.
ttthe difference now, but he soon will
be. Then fear you will perceive your
error. too late. You have yourself grated
thorn In the young rose, which will even
sually pierce you most bitterly. You can
not break OF the thorn, or club the psint
to.make it less. piercing. On your return
{ hewill not see the kitten, therefore you
wlll have to invent another falschood to
conceal the first" 81 Is
We had now gained onr friends door,
which ended our. conversation. During
theseseninge she seemed gayer than usual;
my words had little or no effect upon her.
Ehs did not think her little one was do
Ing all he could to keep awake TO see the
eoyeted kitten on her return, wondering
what made amother gone SO long" 1t
uas late ere reminded her we ought to
return. But little was said during our
Aezpsuar6 walk. She went neisslsssly
Into the room, supposing her boy asleep;
but be Heard her and said: .'i.s
siMothsr, is that youi Have Jon brought
tha kittsns / kept awake to see it, and l
YES 90 slespsp asats '
No, my dear, the man would not sell her. ,
s~Why won't he, mothe:?" he asked with
quiyering lips. 5 ess.sN 20 :
Il don't know; l suppose he wants her
10 catch rats and mice"
"Did hessaysso, mother!"
"He did not say just that, but I thought
be sssapt %. = 81
81 did want it so bad, mother" The
little lips quivsred, and the tears started
TO his eyes. He rubbed them with his
little hands winking very fast to keep
them. back. but they would come; at last
he fell asleep with the psarly drops glis-
tening on his rosy cheeks. The mothers
aihtsned also As she knelt to kiss them
swsJ. he mnrmured softly in his broken
slpnber II did wsntsit 10 bad Shs
tssnsd hers dewy eyes toward me. saying
sssYoug have led me to see my error,
N6t5t will again. let what will be the
cqssequencs deceive my child to please
LAisther are Yon practising the same de-
- -.