Randolph County journal. [volume] (Winchester, Randolph County, Ind.) 1855-1862, 1859-03-24

misery to be near him. He grumbled
and snarled necessarily. and found
fault with every one, and every thing
around him. He seemed TO exist in
the perpetual foment Of irrascible i'm
patience, uncomfortable himself, and
sowing the seed of anger. fretfulness
and discord wherever he appeared
His home was especially unhappy
Bitter retorts and passionate invectives
obtained dominant sway. He con-
stantly rallied at his wife, and she re-
piled in the same mloving strain; the
children quickly imbibed like vim
dicitive habit, until such a thing as
pleasant look or kind word was never
known among them.
One day Mr.. Bullard was returning
to his cheerless dwelling, more fever
ish in temper than was his wont, in
consequence of some disappointment,
ready to vent his angry spleen upon
his family as soon as he arrived. If
the supper was not ready to sit down
to at the very moment, he would al
most turn the house upside down. and
strike to the quick with his taunting
complaints. But CHANGING to approach
little sunny-haired girl, whose mild
blue eyes and loving face was such a
picture of bursting kindness as he had
never seen before. an incident occurred
which effected complete revolution
in his peevish frame of mind, and
planted new feeling in his turbulent
breast The girl, and evidently one,
her elder brother, were playing with a
small carriage, and suddenly turning
near a stone step. she accidently struck
the carriage against one corner, and
broke it to atoms. In a passionate
burst Of anger, the boy advanced and
struck his sister severe blow with a
clenched hand, and stamped his feet in
a tempest of fury upon the ground.
But instead of returning the blow
and rcvengeful speech, after an invol-
untary cry of pain, the noble girl laid
her hand gently on her brothers arm,
and looking sorrowfully in his flushed
face, softly said, "Oh, brother Tom!
L did not think you would do that. -
In moment, as if stung by hot iron,
the boy shrunk back, and hung his
head in shame and conscience stricken
pain. Then he said, "Forgive me,
Helen, will never do it again" -
And scarce had the penitent words left
his lips, when his sisters arms were
thrown around his neck, and forgive
ness sobbed on his breast. Here was
lesson for Bullard. At first he was
quite stunned by it; he could not under
stand. 1t was something beyond his
philosophy. But he felt that it had
somehow done him good. Bit by it,
as he proceeded on, his own angry
feelings vanished, till he felt calm and
indlier than he had done before in
years. Yes, he was softened to his
hearts core, and he felt something
very like moisture spring UP to his
eyes.
Little noting the wonderful change
which had taken place in her husband S
temper, Mrs. Billiard was dreading his
arrival home, for supper was not near
ready, and she had had the misfortune
to burn the cakes she had baked for the
meal. And the children copying from
her. were unusually cross and bad
In vain she had scolded and whipped
them, they only snarled and struck
each other, and almost drove her dis
tracted with their quarreling confusion.
Mr.. Bullard entered, and whatever
could be the matter, Mrs. Bullard could
scarcely give credit TO her senses.-
Instead of dashing the door behind
him with pettish crash, and stamp
; ing his way forward to the kitchen, he
took the crying baby from its bed, and
hushed it with the softest and most en-
dearing words he had ever used. And
. his face had smile on it, real, kind,
sunshiny smile. What strange won
der was this? Mrs. Bullard was, at
first, struck quite dumb with astonish-
/ ment, and the children stared at theil
changed father, as if at loss to make
the mystery out. He spake, and actu-
ally said, My dear Mary, is supper
near ready? I'm as hungry as a hun
| ter" The wonder increased more anG
; more. The children hardly seemed
assured whether it was their father Oh
not; and scarcely knew whether to be
: lieve in the evidence of their eyes anC
, ears. But the change was real. Al
! ready blessed feeling diffused through
the family circle like unto the falling
: of the morning dew. or the fragran
r breath of summer flowers. AT first
: hesitatinsly, Mrs. Bullard replied
Supper will be ready directly. Blu
| am sorry these cakes are burned