The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1858-07-30
Wheat or Tares.


ing, Fanny dear, in the mind of this little
fellow 2 said Uncle Lincoln to his niece,
Mrs. Howard and he lifted child, not be-
yond his fourth summer, upon his knee, and
laid one Of his hands amid the golden caris
that lay about his snowy temples.
wheat, trust, Uncle Lincoln replied
Mrs. Howard, smiling, yet serious. 1t is
the enemy who SOW tares-and am his
mother
There was glow Of proud feeling in the
countenance of Mrs. Howard, as she said,
4 am his mother
1t was Mr.. Lincoln's first visit to his
niece since her marriage and removal 10 a
| city some hundred miles apart from her old
home.
Even Il mothers hand may SOW tares,'
said the old gentleman. 4 have seen it
done many times-hot of design, but in
thoughtIess inatten'ion to the quality of seed
she held in her hand. The enemy mixes
tares with the wheat quite as often as he
scatters evil seed. The husbandman must
not only watch his fields by night and day,
but also the repositories of his ground, lest
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.
don't upset my work basket, stop II say,
you little rogue
Seeing that the wayward child did not
mean to heed her words, the mother started
forward, but not in time to prevent the
spools Of cotton, scissors, emery cushion,
&c, from being scattered about the floor.
Willie laughed in great glee at this exploit,
while Mrs Howard gathered up the con-
tents Of the work, basket, which she now
placed on the shelf above the reach Of her
mischevous boy. Then she shook hel fin
ger at him in mock resentment, saying,
"lou little sinner, you do that again,
III send you off with the milkman''
"Wheat or tares, Fanny 2" Uncle Lin
coin looked soberly at his niece.
"Ncither,' replied Mrs. Howard, smiling
gayly.
"Tmes,' said Uncle Lincoln, emphatica!ly
'Nonscnse, Uncle!'
The tares of disobedience, Fanny. You
have planted the seed, and it has already
taken root. Nothing will choke out the
wheat sooner. The tares Of fa.schood v on
also throw in upon the newly broken soil
What are you thinking about, my child !?
The tares Of falschood, Uncle Lincoln
What are you thinking about9 said Mrs
Howard, in real surprise.
Did you not say that you would send
him off with the milkman if he did thai
again? I wonder if lie believed you?'
or course he did not
'Then,' said Unce Lincoln, 'he has al
ready discovered that his mother makes but
light account of the truth. Will his moth
er be surprised if he should grow up to set
small value on his word?'
You treat this matter too seriously, Un
Gle. He knows that am only playing
with him.
lie knows that you are telling him what
is not true replied Mr.. Lincoln.
1T was only in sport said Fanny, per.
sistcEtly.
But in sport with sbarp-edged instru-
ments-pIaying with deadly poisons. The
old gentleman looked and spoke with the
seriousness that oppressed his feelings
"Fanny Fanny Truth and obedience are
good seeds; falsehood and .disobedieace are
tares from the Evil One. Whatever you
plant 10 the garden of your chld's mind
will grow, and the harvest will be wheat OF
tares, just as you have sown.'
Mrs. Howard did not reply, but her con-
tenance took on sober cast.
'Wilie,' said she, a few minutes after,
wards 60 down to Jane, and tell her to
bring me glass Of water
Willie, who was amusiugS himself with
some pictures, looked up on hearing bis
name. But as ne did not feel like going
off to the kitchen, he made no response,
and let his eyes turn to the pcturesin which
be had become interested.
Willie + Mrs. Howard spoke with de-
cision, did You hear me9'
4 don't want to co. answered Willie.
60 this miuuter
Il am afraid ,..
afraid of whatp inquired the mother
afraid Of the cat
No, you are, not. The rcat never hurt
you or anybody else. 'aa e:ym
II i am afraid Of the milkmaa. You said
| be would carry me off, ? .,|ss IL, d"
] 81 si .rbea apilkman q not down stairs said
Mrs Howard her face beginning to Grim
Z son /; .he only. comes ID the morninp.'sl u