Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-11-04

Het IeeInB aBalnst cnalr'
"Why, mamma" said Willie--a bright,
sturdy little fellow of fivo years-wbo had
been busily engaged for the hour, trying to
make wooden knife for bis sister-"Why,
mamma, you promised we might 60 to-day,
and if you don't let US, il will be telling a
wrong story"
"Well, do 60 along-stay an hour, and 1
hope l shall have some peace when you
are gone"
"Hurrah," said Willie, jumping up
,Where'smy capt Mamma can't reach it,"
"I'll warrant it-always something TO
hinder me; here, take your cap and GO"
and with the same impatient step and frown-
ing brow which had been seen all that day,
she passed again to her work.
But let us follow the children as they
leave the house. Sarah walks along with
sad and fearful face-her's is a peculiarly
sensitive nature, and the harsh reproof so
often given is sure to cast shadow on her
heart-and as Willie glances up into her
face, rebellous thoughts arise, and his eyes
fash Indignantly as he says, in comfort
ing tone, II wouldn't feel bad if mamma
docs scold. / shall be big man pretty
soon, and then I'll talk right back to her,
Just as she does to us; and when l get rich
enough Pm going to buy horse and car
riage, and YOU and pa may ride with me,
but mamma shan't cause she amt good
May be she'll grow old sometime, and come
10 live with me, just as grandma does to
our house, and then if she talks to us so,
I'll just shut her up in the dark, wouldn't
youg"
Little does that mother think she is SOW
ing seed in the young hearts which shall
spring up and yield "hundred fold" of
bitterness and sorrow.
Ten years have fed-let us again visit
that dwelling. Where is now the gentle
Sarah, whom every one thought so sweet
tempered! She is there, but how changed.
In former years the angry reproof would
only cause a flood of tears, but as
day after day, year after year, the harsh
words fell upon her car, angry feelings be-
gan to surge up, until her very nature be-
came changed, and she had learned at last
to throw back the bitter retort. Sadly
darkened must be the soul Of that mother
who thus wounds and crushes the heart of
the sensitive, until hatred takes the place
of love, and the Evil Genius presides where
once heavenly angels loved to linger.
But we miss tho bravo little Willie
Where can our pet have flown! "In days
of yore" his laughing eyes and sunny
smile were the first to greet us now we list
in vain for his coming footstep. He is &
wanderer exied by his mothers frowns and
irritableness, from an otherwise pleasant
home. Oh, mother, how great an infu
ence thy words, thy tones of voice possess
Are they harsh and vituperativel Arc
those tender blossoms entrusted to youI
care mado to feel they are only a trouble
and a burdenl Then murmur not, if when
the frosts of age have whitencd your locks
when your steps are slow and feeble
and all the helplessness of second child
hood arc upon you-you are treated in like
manner. Unloved, unhonored it may be-
you will go down in sorrow to your grave.
But let US turn, kind reader, to pleasant
er scene. Go with me to the house of Mr.
c.. The mother, pleasant-lookiug
lady, is busily engaged with her morning
duties. Hardly have we entered erc the
sound of little feet is heard, and Charlie
rushes in.
"Mamma," said he, "George Lane has
just the prettiest new sled that ever saw
it is painted all over, and his name is in
largo letters on the side, and he wants
should 60 homo with him and ride on it
may gol"
"fes, my son" is the pleasant reply, ri
you will be back in half an hour-I shal
want you then TO do an erraud for me-
Here, let me tic your scarf around you
neck--be good boy and play pleasantly
! with George" and impriuting kiss upor
his rosy lips, she turns again to her work.
But where is little Allie, the pet of the
!. householdi The mother remembers thai
i she has not seen her for some time. "Thc
: little rogue is in some mischief, presume
n else she would not be so quiet; / must fine
: her." After looking in various places she
|. softly opens the parlor door, and there sit
d the "litte one" with pussy by her side, anC
b in her hand beautiful steel engraving
s which she had torn from one of the book
It which adorn the center table. We watcl
: with interest to note the effect upon th,
!, mother. Shall we see her face flush will
8 angerl Will she pass along with hast,
u steps--seize the engraving, box the cars 0
the child, Unconscious of the wreng thougl
she be- saying she never did see such
"young one" always doing something sh
. ought not TO dol Very many mother
a would have pursued such a course, but no
a so with Mrs. @, She stops at the door :
2 listen, while Allie talks on, all uncousciou
Of the presence of another.
Q "Kitty, amt you glad that we came i
9 the parlor this morning, cause Allies foun
B. nice picture for you to look at Now
. you viii keep still, I'll tell you all about i
q There's little girl Just like me, only sh
r amt quite so big, and her name is Allie
6 too. SO there's two Allies here. Yo
don't know, Kitty, what that little girl
holding, but do, cause papa told mo; il
: a rabbit; but I'd rather have kitty than
J ]. rabbit; shouldn't you, kitty'"
= "Why, Allie" !" said her mother advar
y y cling and speaking in a kindly tone, "didn
, yod know i was very naughty to tear papa
|, booki How sorry he will feel to hear whl
"a his little girl has been doing"
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