The Hillsdale standard. [volume] (Hillsdale, Mich.) 1851-1909, 1858-12-07
NO. 633.
Into the Sunshine.

houshold. They indulge IN frequent fret-
ting and moroseness, are impatient at til-
fling vexations, and censurc the faults and
errors Of their children with sternncss in
stead of love- They know little Of calm
and sunshine, aud home has few charms
either for themselves or their little ones.
Love and gentleness, combiucd with firm.
ness, have wonderful power over the
most thoughless and wayward little ones;
and parents who know how TO unto these
in due proportions, have perpetual sun
shine in their dwellings, aud loving and
obcdcnt children. Theic is a truc philos
ophy in the following domestic scene, Ia
ken from "Stcps towards Heaven
81 wish father would ccire home home"
Tho voice that said this had troubled
tone, and lhe face looked sal
"Your father will be very angIy,' said
an aunt who was sitting in the room with
book in her hand. The boy raised him
self from the sofa, where he had been lying
in tears for half an hour, aud, with touch
Of Indignation in his voice, answered.
"IIcll be sorry, mol angry. fatiicr
never gets angry"
For few moments the aunt looked at
the boy half curiously, and let her eyes fall
again upon the book that wa. in her hand.
The boy laid himself down upon the sofa
again, and hid his face from sight.
"That's father now" He started up af-
ter the lapse Of ten minutes, as the sound
of bell reached his cars, and went to tho
room door. He stood there for little
while, and then came slowly back, saying
with disappointed air;
at isn't father. l wondc, what keep
him SO late. o, wish he would come"
"You seem anxious to ct deeper into
trouble" remarked the aunt, who had ONLY
been in the house for week; and who
was neither very amable nor very sympa'
thizing towards children. The boys faults
had provoked her, and she coasilercd him
a fit subject for punishment.
81 believe, aunt Phoebe, that you'd like
to sec me whipped" said The boy, littlo
warmly. "But you won't"
81 must confess replied aunt Phoebe,
sthat think little wholesome diciplino
of the kind you speak OF, would not be out
of place, If you were my chill, Tn sure
you wouldn't escape"
81 am not your child; AMI don't want
to be. Fathers good and loves me-"
"If your father is so good, and loves
YOU so well, you must be very uneratrfuf
er a very inconsiderate boy. His goodness
don't seem to have helped you uucl,."
"Hush, will your CALCULATED the boy,
excited to anger by this unkindness OF
speech.
"Phebcw 1t was the boys mother
who now spoke for the first time. In an
under tone she added: "You are wrong.
Richard is suffering quito enough, and you
are doing him harm rather than good"
Again the bell rang, and again tho boy
left the sofa and went to the sitting room
i, door.
"It's father" And he went gliding
down the stairs
"Ah, Richard" was the kindly greeting.
as Mr. Gordon took tho hand of his boy
"But what's the matter with my on? You
don't look happy"
Wont you come in hcrc!' And Rich
ard drew his father into tho library. Mr..
,, Gordon sat down, still holding Richard by
the hand.
"You are in trouble, my s'n. What
has happenedg"
Q The eyes of Richard filed with tears as
I've looked into his fathers face. lie tried
to answer, but his lips quivercd Then be
turned away, and brought out tho frag.
mcnts Of brokon statucttc, which hal
been sent home only the day before, aud
Z set them on table before his father, over
:, whose countenancc camc instantly shad-
ow of regret.
d "Who did this, my son!' was a'hel IN
II an cvcn voice.
II ~ did it,
! "How?"
n II threw my ball in there ouce--o1ly
c nucc, in forgctfulness."
J The poor boys tone was hus<y an
% tromulous.
A little while Mr.. Gordon sat controlling
h himself, aud collecting his disturbed
:, thoughts. Then he said cheeifuily-,
't "What is done, Richard, cant be hclp
II o.. Put the broken pcices away. for
4. have had trouble enough about it, cal
Of see-and rcprool conugh for Your thought
Id lessncss--so shall not sdJ q word to IN
y crease your pain" =.
"Oh, fatherl" And the boy throw HI
arms ABOUT Ills lttuols hSSh' "" wv
= kinI-so good"
lt Five minutes later, and Richard cntere'
i, the sitting room with his father. Aun
;. Phoebe looked up for two shadowed faces
nc but did not SEQ them. She was puzzled.
at "That was very unfortunate" she sald
d, little while after Mr.. Gorden came j,
re at was such an exquisite work Of art. ]
Id is hopelessly ruined"
C. Richard was leaning against his fatl'c
mt when his aunt said this. Mr.. Gordon OF
he " smiled and drew his arm closely aroun
lie his boy. Mrs. Gorden threw upo'. her SIS
tn ter look of warning, but it was unhcedec
do IL think Richard was very naughi
nd boy"
les awe have settled all that, Phoebe,
ed was the mild aud firm answer OF Mr.. Go
lis den; "and it is one of our rules 10 get IL
Die to the sunshine as quickly as possible"
3. Phoebe was rebuked, while Rclia'
looked grateful, and il may be, Jitt
triumphant; for his aunt bad borne dow
w, upon him ratber-to hard for boys 2