Litchfield enquirer., 1859-01-13

she was angry, and dwould not listen to him. | Tell me just what occurred, Mary, and then shall know exactly how far both were to bame." TT
 Well" answered Mary, "John and were playing chequers, and Agnes would every now and then, steal up behind John and push his elbow when he was making move It wors ried him, and he asked her over and over again not to do so. But she didn't mind what he ! said. At last John pushed the board from him. I and wouldn't play any longer. He was angry Still Agnes seemed bent on annoying him. John got book and sat down near the W;adew to read. He had not been there long before Agnes stole up behind him, whipped the book ] out of his hand, and ran away. John sprung after her and they had struggle for the book, in which Agnes got blow upon the face. I accidental. It seemed so at the time, and John declares that he did not mean to strike her. That is all, mother"
 "Cal your brother" said the lady, in sub- dued voice. John entered the room in a few moments. He was pale, and looked troubled.
 My son." said the mother speaking with out apparent excitement yet with a touch of sorrow in her voice, C did you strike Agnes on purpose 2"
 The boys lips quivered, but no answer came through them. He looked into his mothers eyes for a moment or two, until tears blinded him, and then he laid his face down upon her bosom and sobbed. With loves tender instinct, the mother drew her arm tightly around her boy, and then there was silence for the space of nearly minute.
 "It was an accident, am sure," whispered the mother, placing her lips close to the ear of her boy.
 Indeed it was ]" John answered back with earnestness. My hand slipped as tried to get my book away from her, and it struck her in the face. I Was so sorry"
 What less could the mother do than kiss with ardor the fair brow of her boy. against whom, under the influence of anger, she had passed nasty judgment. She almost shud- dered at the thought of the unjust punishment she had come nigh inficting while blind from sudden excitement.
 [" The chief blame, see, rests with Agnes," said the lady, turning with some severity of voice and countenance towards her little girl, who now stood with the aspect of a culprit in- stead of an accuser.
 "It was her fun, mother" John spoke up quiChy. Cue lOVeS to CeaSe, you kEoW, anu l was wrong to get angry"
 But teasing does not come from good spirit" replied the mother, "and am sorry that my little girl can find no higher enjoyment than the pleasure of annoying her brothers and sisters am satisfied with you, John but not with Agnes and now you may leave us alone"
 John and Mary went out, aud left their mo- ther alone with Agnes. When the little girl joined her brothers and sisters some time after wards, she had a sober face like one whose spirit was not at ease with itself. She had been guilty of double wrong, and had come near drawing down upon her innocent brother an unjust punishment. So clearly had her mo- ther brought this to her view, that shame fol- lowed conviction, and she was now ready to acknowledge her fault, and promise better con- duct in the future. ......-
 But the one who profted most by this scene of trouble, was the children's mother. After all was harmonzed again, and she was alone with her own thoughts, she lifted heart of thankfulness for selfcontrol, and prayed that she might ever possess her spirit in calmness " I tremble in thinking of the evil that would have followed blind punishment of my noble hearted boy."-T. s. AatAur.