Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1858-11-11

dles. Mere opposition 10 chliu tie
Sires affects about as little good. 1t
only gives them a morbid force. We
should not repress activity. but seek Ia
give it right direction. | Will ven
ture to affirm, Anna, that II, when we
went into the library just now. we had
entered with some manifestation Of in
terest into what John was doing. and
then pleasantly explained to him that
the use he was making of his father :
books was iniuring them, and that lie
must return them to the library, he
would have replaced them on the
shelves without n word Of objection
There would have been, in that case,
no mental injury sustained through
excitement OF q passionate temper
The sky Of his mind would have re-
mained clear, and sweet peace would
now he in his heart. instead of sullen
rebellion. Dear sister. a child's i'm
mortal soul is more precious thing
than whole libraries of costly books,
or even the rich furniture in king,
palace While we guard his external
surroundings with due regard to or
der. and prevent, as we'll for his sake
as for these. disorder AMI blind de
struction, we must never forget thai
the Jewel il more to be regarded tn an
the ca>ket. y scratched table, torn
or defacel book, or even a costly thing
broken. are small ellis compared with
a scratched, defaced. or distorted min /
Forgive Inc for saying it. my sister.
but | have always thought that parents
are most to blame for the bad tempers
AMI passionate outbreaks of their chill
dren: AMI this little trouble with Holm
only confirms the opinion. | say it
kindly; nay, Anna. in tenler love.
Be not hurt. then, nor offended; but.
for the sake of your bright. beautiful
boy. lay up my words in your heart.
The mother looked sober AMI
thoughtful. Her sister hal not spoken
in vain. Truth had awakened convic-
ton. Suddenly rising. AMI kissing
her sister in token Of forgiveness. she
left the room, anil went to tn, library
John was still lying upon the floor
where he hal thrown himself But
he hal ccaSel crying. He heard his
mothers footsteps. but did not move
Experience hal Taught him that re-
proof. It might be punishment. was in
store for him: and so he awaited. in
stubborn silence. for whatever unplcas-
ant consequence might come.
John" 1t was low, soft, ten
der, almost sal voice. anl the word
was spoken close to his car. He start
ed in sudden surprise, and raised hi,
face from the floor.
Come, dear" The voice was even
tender; AMI warm hand graspel his
with firm pressure.
"Oh. motherv' The child started
up with this exclamation, and. in a
passion of tears, threw his arms about
her neck, and hid his face in her boz
som. Tightly she held him there, and
lovingly she kissed his pure forehead.
Il diln't mean to do wrong. Moth
er!" sail the boy. Il love to build
houses; and Father said yesterday that
If I didn't hurt the books, might take
some of them.
The mother only kissel 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 your
asked the child.
"Yes, dear. yes! Better than all
the world" was the almost sobbing
answer.
And I love you. Mother. AMI
I'll try to be good always. Won't
you ask Father to buy me some build
ing blocks; and then I'll not want his
books?"
"Yes. You shall have box full
tomorrow"
You're good Mother" said little
John. Only sometimes-'
The child paused. as If in doubt.
"Only what, dear?"
You won't be angry If say it
will ypu?"
mo. no. dear. Say on"
"Only sometimes you scoli me so,
and jerk me up when | ain't doing any
harm as | can Sec And then | get So
mad-ani l can't help it.. And I'm
sorry. Oh. dear! wish | never wa'
madl"
And with half shuller. as ii some
very painful idea was forced upon hi.
young mind, little Johnny buried his
face close down upon his mothers bo'
som again. and lay there very still.
No more words passed then between
the mother and child; but scales has