Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1859-06-17
Gcntral !Htsrellanp.
HOME INFLUENCE.

HOME INFLUENCE.
Mrs Sarah Green had three children The
eldest named Ellen, was brght-eyed, frol-
cksomc, noble hearted girl of eleven years.
Mary was eight. and if not so lively as her
sister. she was full as handsome, though per-
haps more pale and thin, for she had seen
some sickness The youngest child was a
boy named George, and though only foui
wears old, he was a bright, talkahve little fell
low, who remembered all he heard, and could
repeat it afterwards.
Now Mrs. Green was a good hearted wo-
man. and one who meant TO do about right
and before her children were born possessed
a very good temper But she often had her
temper aroused now She wondered why her
children were so troublesome, and why she
could not control them Ah-she forgot
there was a spirit in her own bosom which
needed controlling first. She did not realize
that in her own words and feelings her chill
dren found their guide for their worst faults.
But so it was.
Look a here - cried George, one even
ing, as his sister Mary took one of his play
things, "you take care. or Il tut your ear off.
I'll hip you to def. | will"
At first Mr. Green was inclined to laugh
at the little fellows pertness, but sober sec
ond thought changed his mind.
Sarah" he said addressing his wife,
"where did George learn that stuff :"
George mustn't say so again, will he :"
the father said, gently patting the boy on the
head.
"Yes, I'll say so. Mamma say so. Nam
ma don to tut Marys ear off
Mr.. Green looked at his wife, but he saw
how earnestly the two girls were watching
the case, and he turned the subject But
after the children were in bed he touched it
again.
sarah, he said, you must not be offend
ed at what | say you cannot be too careful
how YOU speak to our children. Every word
you speak must have its influence, and you
know what kind Of influence such language
as we have heard this evening must have.
"But had no idea that George heard
me-
"And if he did not the girls must. Now
such threats can oaly do evil"
"But you do not know what trial they
are"
"Why call them very well behaved"
$50 they are when you are around
but why should they behave differently
when | am here from what they do at other
times y
"Why, they are afraid Of you
afraid of me, Sarah, No, no. ] surely
never gave them any occasion for that nor
/ do they show any such feeling-but on the
contrary, they love me much and are perfectly
free and at home with me. No, no, Sarah
it is not that. But let me tell you The
children know that if they disobey shall
punish them. Never yet have they heard an
idle word from my lips. They know what
say mean Now, is it so with youi''
'I'm sure do the best ! can, returned
Mrs. Green IF you had the whole care ol
the house on your hands, you'd find taking
care of the children a very different thing
You'd find your patience worn out some
times
but listen one moment, Sarah. Can yor
not see that the moment you lose your pa
tience you lose your control over yourself
and when that is lost, of course the contro
over the children goes with it. Now, how
often do you make threats that you neve
mean to carry out, when yon make them =
Il wish we'd never had any children,
murmured Mrs. Green, sobbing.
"What is the use Of saying that, Sarah :
"Because do; and then shouldn't hav'
any of this fault-fnding'
Poor Mr.. Green! shade of sadnes
rested upon his features, and in troube'