The River Falls journal. (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1857-1861, 1859-05-18
5flistellanfous.
From Cooley Lady's Book.
THE BROKEN VASE.

What will father say?'
This was tbs frightened exclamation
OF a lad who, in playing about his fathers
room, had knocked down beautiful agate
vase, shattered it into dozen fragments
A moment before, his eyes werc spark
hing with pleasure, his cheeks glowing " til
excitement, and his whole air that of con.
scious enjoyment; now, he stood pale,
shrinking. painting. his eyes heavy and
bis lips quivering.
what will father sayl' Mournful
were his tones as he repeated the words,
after brief silence. Poor boy! how
suddenly was the bright sky of his spirit
overloaded. That vase, of rare work
manship, the gift of q friend, and much
priced by his father, lay ruined at bis
feet. 1t was not in the power of human
skill to restore it; of tlat the unhappy lad
feit hopeless'y conscious. For awhile, be
brooded over the shape'ess fragments,
'ainly searching in his mind for some
light; then, as all remained dark and
threatening, his feelings sought relief in
gush of tears. For some minutes, he
wept and sobbed bitterly; then he grew
calm. Seated in chair, with bis sad
face resting on his hand, and his eyes fix
ed on the broken vase, he remained for q
long time, meditatiug ON the new aspect
of affairs, and trying to see clearly what it
was best for him to do. No one heard
it fall, said he, at length, speaking to him
self. mentally; and as he did so, feeling
of relief was experienced. 'Ifmother had
heard the noise, she would have been here
in minute
The lad rose up quickly, and went ST.
ientIy from the >om, not that he had
made up bis mind to deny all partiiceii,,,a-
ton in the accident; he only wished to re-
tain the ability to do so. if, on reflection
that course were determined upon. No
one was stirring in the passage; the din
ing-room and kitchen doors were shut /:
and away off in the third story of the
back building vas his mother, sewing in
the nursery. So far, all was safe, and the
boy felt still further relieved. On one of
the landings, as he went down stairs, he
saw bis little sisters favorite cat fast
asleep. At once, the goat for him, Tll
shut pussy up in the room, said he, with
suddenly formed purpose, :and they'll
think she knocked down the vase And
with the words, he caught up the cat,
and went silently towards his fathers
room; but ere he reached the door, he
felt SO disturbed and uncomfortable, such
pressure of guilt for deliberate wrong
that he let the cat fall from his hand.
SinguIarly enough, the animal, instead of
running down stairs, bounded off in the
other direction, and actually entered the
very room where the vase lay broken on
the floor.
4 didn't put her in there, any how
So the hoy thought, as he went slowly
and noiselessly down stairs. Still, he
didn't feel right abou. it. But for his
action in the case, pussy would still be
quietly sleeping on the landing.
% dear! o dearr sighed the unhappy
boy, as he sat down upon the stairs, what
shall / do? Father will be so angry
Oh, wish l hadn't gone into his room!'
At this moment the nursery door open
ed.
John Johnp
It was the voice of bis mother.
Instead of answering the call, the lad
slipped noiselessly down stairs, and going
into the parlor, took book from the cen
ter-table, and, opening it, pretended, for
few moments, to be reading.
| .Jobnr the mother continued to call.
Here l am, mother, John answered
from the parlor door.
4 want you, dear
John went up to his mother with new
burden on his already heavy heart. He
| had pretended not to hear her first call,
and in this had acted unfairly towards
her, and in q way to diminish his own sell
respect.
| go around to the trimming-store and
oet me skein of black silk, john
Not venturing to lift his eyes to hi
mother's face, John took the change tina
WA reached to him, and turned quickly
sway. He was gone good while, Sc
long that his mother bec'me slightly I'm
patient at the delay, and, when ne appear
ed, uttered few reproving words. Ihss
hurt him good deal, and prevented tn
revelation he was about to make. III
fact was. his mind has been 50 exs'cise'