Saint Paul weekly Minnesotian., 1858-12-11
Into the Sunshine.

The voice that said this had troubled tone
and the face that looked up was sad.
" Tour father will be very angry" sait
an aunt who Was setting in the room with .
book in her hand
The boy raised himself from the sofa, where
he had been lying in tears for half an hour
and with a touch of indignation in his voice
answered.
Hell be sorry, not angry. Father never
gets angry
For few moments the aunt looked at the
boy half curiously, and let her eyes fall agar
upon the book that was in her hand. The boy
laid himself down upon the sofa again, and
hid his face from sight.
That's my father, now "
He started up, after the lapse of nearly ten
minutes, as the sound of bell reached his
ear, and went to the room door. He stood
there for a little while, and then came slowly
back, saying with disappointed air
1T isn't father. wonder what keeps
him so late. Oh, how | wish he would
Gomez
"You seem anxious to get deeper into trou
BILE" remarked the aunt who had only been
in the house for week, and who was Meth
er very amiable nor very sympathising to-
wards children. The boy s fault had provok-
| ed her, and she considered him "a fit subject
for punishment.
81 believe, aunt Phebe, that you like to
see me whipped" said the boy, a little warm
| ly, but you won't"
"I must confess, replied aunt Phebe, "that
little wholesome discipline of the kind you
speak of would not be out of place. If you
were my child, am sure you would not es-
cape"
q a,n not your child don't want to be
Father is good, and loves me-"
" If your father is so good, and loves you
so well, You mast be very ungrateful, or a
very inconSderate boy. His goodness don't
seem to have heldcd you much"
" Hush, will you y calculated the boy
excited to anger by this unkindness O
speech.
"Phebe "
1t was the boy mother who spoke fol
the first time In an undertone she added
" You are wrong. Richard is suffering quite
enough, and you are doing him harm rather
than good"
Again he bell rang, and again the boy lef
the sofa, and went to the sitting room door
" It's father"
And he went gliding down stairs.
"Ah, Richard" was the kindly greeting
as Mr.. Gordon took the hand of his boy
"But what's the matter, my son? You dom
look happy"
Won't you come in herev' And Rich
ard drew his father into the library Mr.
Gordon bent down, still holding Richard.
hand.
You arc in trouble, my son. What has
happened
The eyes of Richard filled with tears as hi
looked into his fathers face. He tried to an
swer, but his lips quivered. Then he turned
away, and opening the door of the cabinet
brought out the fragments of broken statu
ette, which had been sent home only the day
before, and set them on Il table before his ia
ther, over whose countenance came Instant,
a shadow of regret.
Who did this, my SOM" was asked in al
even voice
did it,
How -
threw my ball in there, once-onl,
once, in forgetfulness."
The poor boys tones were husky and tire
mulous.
a little while Mr. Gordon sat, controlln
himself, and collecting his disturbed thoughts
Then he said gently
What is done, Richard, can't be helped
Put the broken pieces away. You have ha
trouble enough about, it, | can see and re
proof enough for your thoughtlessness-s
l shall not add word to increase you
pain"
90, father y And the boy threw his arm
around his fathers neck. "You are so kline
Five minutes later, and Richard entere
the sitting room with his father. Aunt Pheb
looked up for two shadOwed faces but di
not see them. She was puzzled.
That was unfortunate" she said, Iii
le while after Mr.. Gordon came in. ut wa
sucn an exquisite work of art. 1t is hopeless
ly ruined"
Richard was leaning against his fathe
when his aunt said this. Mr.. Gordon Onl
smiled and drew his arm closely round hi
boy. Mrs. Gordon threw upon her sister
look of warning, but it was unheeded.
" think Richard was very naught
boy"
We have settled all that, Phebe," W.
mild but firm answer of Mr.. Gordon an
it is one of our rules to get into the sunshi1
as quick as possible"
Phebe was rebuked while Richard locke
grateful, and it may be, little triumphant
for his aunt had borne down upon hi
rather too hard for boys patience to e.
- dure.
Into the sunshine as quickly as possible
O, is not that the better philosophy for OF
homes?
Is it not true Christian philosophy ? 1t,
selfishness that grows angry and rebels, b
cause fault has been committed. Let
get the offender into the sunshine as quick
as possible, so that true thoughts and rig
feelings many grow vigorous in its warmt
We retain anger, not that anger may act as
ig wholesome discipline, but because we are u
ne willing to forgive All, five are always rig
w with ourselves,we would oftener be right wi
our children.