The Ashland union. [volume] (Ashland, Ashland County, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1858-09-08

ume until 1t overfows its banks, or dis
torts its surface with twirliug eddies.-
Mere oppositions to child's desires ef-
fects about as little good. cF -r
1t only gives them morbid force
We should not repress activity, but seek
to give it right direction. I will ven
ture to affirm, Anna, that if, when We
went into the library jost now, We had
entered with some manifestation of in
terest into what John was doing, and
then pleasantly explained TO him that
the use be was making of his fathers
books was injuring them, and that he
must return them to the library, he
would have replaced them on the shelves
without a word Of objection. There
would have been, in that case, no men
tai injury sustained thro excitement of
a passionate temper. The sky of his
mind would have remained clear, and
sweet peace would now be in his heart
instead of sullen rebellion. Dear sister,
child's immortal soul is more precious
than whole libraries of costly books or
even the rich furniture in kings PAL
ace. While We regard his external sur
roundings with due regard to order,
and prevent, as we'll for his sake as for
Others disorder and blind destruction,
we must never forget that the jewel is
more to be regarded than the casket. A
scratched table, torl or defaced book,
or even a costly thing broken, are small
evils compared with scratched, defaced
or distorted mind. Forgive me for say.
ing it, my sister, but have always thot
that parents are most to blame for the
bad tempers and passionate outbreaks of
their children and this little trouble
with John only confirms the opinion. /
say it kindly; nay, Aona, in tender love.
Be not hurt, then, or offended but for
the sake of your bright, beautiful boy,
lay up my words in your heart.'
The mother sat sober and thotful =
Her sister had not spoken in vain.-
Truth had awakened conviction. Sud.
denly rising, and kissing her sister in
token of forgiveness, she left the room
and went to tho library. John was still
lying upon the floor where be had thrown
himself He heard his mothers foot
steps; but he did not move. Expe-
rieuce had taught him that reproof, it
might be punishment, was in store for
him; and SO he awaited, in stubborn 81
lence, for whatever unpleasant couse
quence might come. sig .
John p 1t was a slow, soft, tender,
almost sad voice, and the word was spo-
ken close to Lis ear. He started in sud,
den surprise, and raised his face from the
floor
Come, DEAR The voice was even
tender; and a warm hand grasped his
with firm pressure.
'Oh. mother - The child started up
with this exclamations and in passion
of tears threw his arms about ber neck,
and hid his face in her bosom. Tightly
she held him there, and lovingly she
kissed his pure forehead. -
4 didn't mean to do wrong, mother !!
said the boy. Il love to build houses
and father said yesterday that if 1 did
not hurt the books, l might take some
of them
The mother only kissed him again,
and drew her arms, in token of love,
more tightly around him. What could
she say to words that came to her ears
with such cutting rebuke?
!You love me, mother, don't you p
asked the child
Yes, dear, yes! Better than ali the
world was the almost sobbing answer.
'And l love you mother. And I'll
try to be good always Won't you ask
father to buy me some building blocks,
and then I'll not want his books?
sYes. You shall have box full to-
morrow
You're good mother said little
John, only sometimes
The child paused as if in doubt.
Only what, dear p
you won't be angry if say it, will
you p 3eF
'No-no, dear, say on 5.
Only sometimes you scold me so, and
jerk me up when ain t doing any harm
as can see. Aud then l get so mad
and 1 can't help it. Aud I'm sorry
Oh, dear, l wish 1 never was mad = d
And with half shudder, as if some
very painful idea was forced upon his
young 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 child, but scales had
been removed from the mothers vision,
and she saw that her precious boy had
generous feelings and right impulses,
and that for his many exhibitions of a
naturally quick temper she was most to
blame. sal ....- ....r-
Thanks for your thankful words,
dear sister = she ssid, little while af-
terwards, I shall have cause to bless
you for them in all coming time.'
And it was even so.