The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1859-04-30

|
learned that his cherished vase was broken
and who had done the deed.
John John
faint Voice
Where 2"
"Down here in the passage"
CONG up to me. Jchn.'
John ciept slowly mp the stairs. "What
has the cat been doing. mo,her?" said he. -
| How his conscience Smote him for this du.
picity, aud how his trouble Increased with
the thought that he was widening the pul,
which was already between him and an honor
abe confession Of his fault lie had ever been
a truthful boy: he loved the ruth but, in
dread Of his fathers anger, he had nctcl "A
fal>ehood. To rcccde involved. now. double
consequences. lie would expose his dupl,ci.
| ty-,o him most painful and notifying
well as meet the dreaded anger of his father.
All, If that lather-not hard. harsh. delhi
eratrly cruel and unjust man -cou!l have
looked into the poo, buys's hear at this
moment. he would not only have been affected
with the tcndcrest pity for him. but been ap-
pnll,d at the danger to which his own want
uf self control was exposing his son.
VIVA; has the cat been doing, mother?'
repeated John. Worse and worse lie WAS
widening the gulf i'll farther
She has been into yonr fathers room
and knocked down and broken hi, beautiful
VASE. Hell be drcadI'ully angry about it,
1t came Instantly to the lip of Jonn to saw
lit WASH { the Cat, mother brok g the vase e"
But the visagc of his angry father was too
palpablr before him. and he cculG not utter
the words and so he stood beside his mother,
hp frat r,,r, Ia.
kind ofslupid diSnay. Ii was in his thought
to screen himself by saying harsh things Of
the cat hut he checked their utterance. To
do so seemed dastardly as well as wicked.
An hour went hy-how full of sufcrinc,-
and then, after long and painful struggle
with himself. John came to where his mother
sat sewing. in the nJrSery. and. sitting on a
low chair beside her. leaned his arms upon
her lap. and looked up, with Sad, fearful ewes,
into her face.
Why. John what ais you =" said his
mother, in surprise.
- broke the vase, mothcr'
How monr'tnl were the poor boys tones
:" You John 3"
lie said not word more hut hid his face
u" ~, "'.'h""'s l"r ""h -: ! i-:..--'s
" How came Won to do it. John e asked
:" 1t Vas all an accident, indeed it was
but. oh. what will iathr, say!'
He will be gricved and angry. You
should not have gone to his room. "
- wen, for book and intended to have
come rgii. out but something interested me,
and forgot myself Oh. what shall do Z"
You must 'ell your father about it as
soon as lie comes home"
" But h. II not forgive me. H. thought 50
much of the vase it was so beautiful But
he uctdn give me the gold watch fora BIRTH
day present. Couldn't he bny another vase
ini The money that would cost 2 don't ca,c
anything about the watch. On I'd rather no,
nave watch or anything else. than he should
he angry with me: and he gets So angry and
says such dreadful things to me when m
in fault and it seems IA if | am always doing
wrong. Won't you tell him about the vase
mother! ! wish you would. Tell HIM
uhdnt d" 1t on purpose that am so sorry +.
tina II Nv never again in my life to do any
thing to offend him. That mother saw decpe,
INTO her boys heart han she had ever seen
before. Il have been SO tempted to conceal
it," he said. athrr's anger seemed SO
dreadful to me, that could not bear it "
Nothing is so hard to bear, ny son, as
the burden of troubled conscience" said
the mother. "Oh. never forget this"
You'll speak to father about it won't you'"
john ask d. entrealmgly.
"PerhapS had bctt do So
"T,ll him how sorry aIn. that il was all
An accident. that lie needn't buy me the
watch"
The mothers heart was deeply touched at
the distress Of her boy and she flt it to 'e
her duty to stand lovingly between him and
the quick anger of an impul>ve, yet not cruel.
minded father.
Evening came, and with it the IA her s
dreaded return. As soon as the mother was
alone with him, She sail, Your agate vas,
is broken"
"What?' HIS face grew instantly crimson.
Broken? Who did it g
"John"
John Where is he2"
The father was already on his feet, re.
solved. under the blind lmpulS, Of the moment
TO punish his son with extreme severity. -
Tie had asked no explanations everything
against the poor boy was taken for granted
at was an accid: nt." said the mother.
"Bnt what business had he to touch the
vase T. was argrily responded.
when it fell from his hand upon the vase"
That's his story
(" He is truthful boy" urged the moth
| er.
| He is mcddlcsome fellow, always inter
frring with matters in which he has no con
Germ. III punish him for this and severely
TOO I'll teach him lesson that he II no,
soon forget" And he moved towards tn,
door but the mother laid her hand upon his
| arm.
:" He has been punished enough already,
SAID she.
Who punished him You ?"
- Il you had seen HIM rs have seen him
you would feel pity. instead ofwrath. Don
speak a harsh word to him. He is ncarl y
sick now, from dread OF meeting your anger
lie says you ne, dnt buy him the gold wacl
for birthday presant, hut keep the money
for new vase. lie was strongly tempted tt
conceal his fault, and he might easily have
done so, for found the cat in your room, nnt
thought that she had done the mischief"
Did he know that you thought so O.
| The father voice was much suftentd.
Yes; and he saw that he could escap,
without suspicion but truth and honest,
prevailed over fear. He came to mo Of hi
own accord and confessed all y
For some time the father remained silent
steadily REFRESHING his excited feelings untl
his mind was clear aud calm again then h
said, :. TIL John to come here ; would lik
to STE him alone"
John. your father wants YOU"
How pale the lad grew instantly.
lAl- ~