Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1858-05-04
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tuOLftcF.
Had you told him he must not build
houses with books.?'
Yes, forty times. There isn't an hour
in the day that I don't have 10 check Of
reproye or punish him for one kind of
mischief or another. He knew it was
wrong
Maybe you, check, or reproye, and
punish him too much, Anna, suggested
.the sister. sThere is danger Of error III
this direction,when the child s mind IS un-
usually active. Tbe~s3feam that glides
along smopthlyeaough through the mead
ow, will fret. and chafe. and dash, madly
forward if roeky distractions como ii It's
way
But children must not be permitted to
do as they please. They would soon be
ruined. said the mother.
II youputa dam across the stream, or
throw huge rocks into the midst Of its
gentle gliding current, you do not stop
its progress but4only swell It's volume
until il oveiAows the banks, or distort its
surface with wiring edlys. Mere OPP
position to ajchiid's desires effects about
as little good Il only gives them NOR
bid force. We. should notrepress activ-
ity, but seekfto give 1t q right direction.
/ will venture to affirm. Anna. that IL,
when We went into the library just nov,
NE had entered with some manifestation
of interest into what John was doing, aud
then pleasantly explained to him that the
nse he was making Of his fathers books
was injuring them. and that be must re-
turn them to The library, he. without =
word Of objection There would have
been in that case, no meterial injury sus-
tanned through excitement Off passionate
temper. The sky ofhis mind would have
remained clear, and sweet peace would
now be in his heart, instead Of sullen ne.
bellioa Dear sisier,+a child's immortal
soul is a more precious thing than whole
libraries Of costly books, or even the rich
furniture in a kings parlor. While we
ealard his external surroundings with a
due regard to order, and prevent. as well
for his sake, as for these. disordered and
blind destruction, we must never forget
that the jewels is more TO be regarded
than the casket. AZ scratched table, a
torn or7defaced book, or even costly
thing broken, are small evils compared
with a scratched. defaeed. or distorted
mind. Forgive me for saying it, INV
sister, but I have always thought thai
parents are mostto blaee for the temDers
aad passionate outbreaks Of their chill
dren and this little trouble with John
only confirms the opinion. I say il
kindly nay, Anna, in tender love. Be
not hurt,then nor offended ;3but' for The
sake ofyour bright. beautiful boy, lay up
my words in your heart
The mother sat sober and thoughtful
Tier sister had not spoken in vain
Truth had awakened conviction. Sud
denly rising, and kissing her sister in to-
ken Of fosgiyeness, she LETT the room and
went to the library. John was still iy,
ling upon the floor where he had thrown
himself. But lie. had ceased crying
He heard his mothers footsteps but die
not move. Experience had taught hin
that reproof.s it might be punishment
was in store for him; and SO he AWAITED
ID stubborn silence, for whatever uupleas,
ant consequence might come.
John! II was 1 low, soft. tender. al
most sad voice, and the word was Spoken
close to his ear. lie started in sudden
surprise, and raised his face from TIL
floor.
Come, dear The voice was ever
tenderer;; and 4 warm hand grasped hi
with firm pressure.
.Oh, mother T The child started ~
with his exclamation, and. in q passion
| Of tears. threw his arms about her neck
and hid Ills face ins her bosom. Tightly
she held him there. ndslovipgly she kiss
/ ed his pure forehead.
I didn't mean to do wrong, mother
said the boy. i love 70 build houses
and father said yesterday that il 4 .didn'
hurt the books Knight lake some Of them.
The nothersoaiy kissed him again. ant
drew her arms. IN token Of love. NOR,
tightly around him. What could sh
say 10 words that came to her ears witt
such cutting rebuke
You love, mother don't you 7 asket
the child.
Yes, dear, yesl Better than all th'
world, was the almost sobbing answer.
And ! love ron. mother. And I'll
TRY to be Good always. Won't ynu asl
father to buyime some building blocks
Eand1hen iii not want his books?'
i IL Tes, You shall hare a box full to
4 morrow
IL You're good notlier,' said littl
John. Only sometimes
Tie child paused as if IN doubt.
only Whit, dear 3
You won't be angry II ] say 4, wi
ven p
Mono. dear, Say on
Only sometimes You scold me 50. an n
/ Jerk me up when 1 ain't doing any harm
las / can see. And then [ get sosmad-
and I can't help il. And I'm sorry. @
Idear! wishfI never was mad Z
And wiIh|a half shudder. as If som
| very painful idea was forced upon hi
young mind little Johnny buried Ii
Il lace close down upon his mothers bosoI
again, and LAY there very still.
No more words passed then betwee
1.-THE mother and child !; but scales ba
,lbeen removed from tho mother yisioE
/ and she ssW that her precious boy ha
generous feelings aud right impulse, An
4 fhaf for bis many ekhibilations Of j ni
-. ~.