Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1858-11-16
INTO THE SUNSHINE.

81 wish father would come home"
The voice that said this had troubled tone
and the face that looked up was sad.
"Your father will be very angry" said an
aunt who was sitting 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 touch of Indignation in his voice, an
swered-
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 again
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
little while, and then came slowly back, say
ing with disappointed air
at isn't father. wonder what keeps him
SO late o, wish he would come !"
"You seem anxious to get deeper into trou-
ble," remarked the aunt, who had only been in
the house for week, and who was neither very
amiable uor very sympathising towards chill
dren. The boys fault had provoked her, and
she considered him fit subject for punish
ment.
"I believe, aunt Phebe, that you'd like to see
me whipped" said the boy, little warmly
but you won't"
'' l 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"
al am not your child I don't want to be.
Father is good, and loves me-"
" If your father is SO good, and loves you so
well, you must be very ungrateful, or very
inconsiderate boy. His goodness don't seem TO
have helped you much"
Hush, will you ~ calculated the boy, ex-
cited to anger by this unkindness of speech.
"Phebe J"
1t was the boys mother who spoke for 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 the bell rang, and again the boy left
the sofa, and went to the sittIng-room door.
ats father"
And he went gliding down stairs
" All, Richard" was the kindly greeting, as
Mr. Gordon took the hand of his boy. But
what's the matter, my son! You do not look
happy"
drew his father into the library. Mr.. Gordon
bent down, still holding Richards hand.
"You are in trouble, my son. What has hap
pened!
The eyes of Richard filled with tears as he
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 statuette,
which had been sent home only the day before,
and set them on table before his father, over
whose countenance came instantly shadow
of regret
who did this, my sOn % was asked in an
even voice.
81 did it."
"Howi"
81 threw my ball in there, Onee-only once,
in forgetfulness."
The poor boys tones were husky and tremu-
lous
A little while Mr. Gordon sat, controlling
himself, and collecting his disturbed thoughts.
Then he said gently
OWhat is done, Richard, can't be helped
Put the broken pieces away. You have had
trouble enough about it, / can see-and reproof
enough for your thoughtlessness-so shall
not add word to increase your pain"
80, father !" And the boy threw his arms
around his fathers neck. "You are so kind-so
good ~
Five minutes later, and Richard entered the
sitting-room with his father. Aunt Phebe look
ed up for two shadowed faces; but did not see
them. She was puzzled.
"That was unfortunate" she said, little
while after Mr.. Gordon came in. at was such
an exquisite work Of art. 1t is hopelessly
ruined"
Richard was leaning against his father when
his aunt said this. Mr.. Gordon only smiled and
dew his arm closely around his boy. Mrs. Cor
don threw upon her sister a look of warning,
but it was unheeded.
81 think Richard was very naughty boy"
ave have settled all that, Phebe," was the
mild but firm answer of Mr.. Gordon; "and it is
one ofour rules to get into the sunshine as quick
as possible
Phebe was rebuked while Richard looked
grateful, and it may be, a little triumphant for
his aunt had borne down upon him rather too
hard for Boys patience to endure.
Into the sunshine as quickly as possible =
o, is not that the better philosophy for our
homes
Is it not true Christian philosophy! 1t is
selfshness that grows angry and rebels, be-
cause fault has been committed. Let us get
the offender into the sunshine as quickly as pos
sible, so that true thoughts and right feelings
may grow vigorous in its warmth We retain
anger, not that anger may act as wholesome
disciple, but because we are unwilling to for
give Ah, If we are always right with our
dren.