Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1859-01-28
sELF CONTROL.

tho room where lady sat roading-"Moth-
er John struck me in the face with all
his might o dear! . dear! 1t hurts so 7"
And the child pressed hor hand against
her check, and threw her head backwards
and forwards as il sho wore in great pain.
Tho lady's face Redeemed, instantly, and
the book fell from her hand to the floor
Starting up she went hurrisdly from the
room. There was anger in her heart against
John, and in the blindness of her sudden
Indignation, she determined 10 punish him
with a severe chastisement. But Gro she
reached the apartment in which hor child
had been playing, she paused suddenly and
stood still. A timely thought glanciug
through her mind, had arrested her steps
"This will not do. I must control my
self" she said, speaking half-aloud. Then,
after resolute strife with her angry feel
ings, the mother went back to tho room
where she had left her weeping child, and
sitting down in her old place, said, with as
calm and steady voice as she could as
sumo:
"Agnes, lot me see your cheek"
20 dearl How it hurts I" sobbed Agnes,
as she came to her mothers side, her hand
still pressed to her face.
Tho lady gently removed her hand and
examined her little girls check. There
was a rcd mark, as if blow had been rc-
ceived; but no evidence Of bruise.
Agnes" said the mother, now speaking
very calmly and gently, yet with frmness
that at once subdued the excitement Of her
childs mind, 81 want you to stop crying
and tell mo all about this trouble with
John"
Tho child's tears ceased to flow; and she
looked up into her mothers face.
"Agnes, who gave the first provocatior
in this matter, you or Johng"
John struck mo in the face !" replied th,
child, evincing great deal of angry foelinl
toward her brother.
"Why did he strike your Agnes wa
Q silent.
j "Who saw tho trouble between you anc
o John 7" inquired tho mother.
"Why, Mary saw it. She'll tell you tina
John struck mo in the faco with all hi
$ might"
"Tel Mary that I wish to sec her.
Agnes went for her sister. When the,
returned, the mother said:
"Now, Mary, tell me about this troubl
d with john and Agnes"
"You saw him strike me, didn't you
o Mary 7" said Agnes, with the cagcrress o
resentment.
j II will question Mary" said the mother
$ "and while | am doing so, you, Agnes
K must have nothing to say. After Mari ha
n finished, then you can correct her statement
!, if you wish TO do SO. Now, Mary, say on.
"Well mother, Ill tell you Just how
o was" said Mary. Agnes was teasing gohr
i and John got angry.
/ "And struck his sister, There was
IS tone of severity in tho mothers voice.
st II think the blow was accidental" sal
Mary. "John declared that it was, and tri
Q cd his best to comfort Agnes; even promi,
% ing to give hOr his pet kitten, if she woul
IS stop crying, and not mako trouble by tsllin
- you. But sho was angry, and would not Ii;
ten to him."
"Toll me just what occurred, Mary, an,
l. then l shall know exactly how far both wer
TO blame
II "Well," answered Mary, "John and
+ were playing checkers, and Agnes woulC
IS every now and then, steal up behind job
Q and push his elbow when be WAS making
d move. 1t worried him, and he asked he
= over and over again not TO do so. But sh
didn't mind what he said. At last Jon
1t pushed the board from him, and wouldn
a. play any longer. He was angry; still Ae
ls nss seemed bent on annoying him. Joh
&c got book and sat down near the wiudov
70 to read. He had not been there long b,
h fore Agnes stole up behind him, whipps
lie the book out Of his hand and ran away
John sprung after her, and they had
= struggle for the book, in which Agnes GO
10 a blow upon the face. l was looking
Or them, and l think tho blow was Academia
er Il seemed SO at the time and John declar'
4. that he did not mean to strike her. Thl
H. is all, mother"
or "Call your brother" said the lady, in
in subdued voice. John entered the room
0 a few moments; be was pale, and IookO
troubled.
le my son" said the mother speaking wit
Oue oppetous oASitotnehbp Yet Win tOut
" Of sorrow in her voicc, sdid you strike Al
so mes on purPosei'
Of The boys lips quivsred. but no answ
came through them. HO looked into
~ mothers eyes for moment or two, uni
q tears blinded him, and then he laid his "a
W down upon her bosom and sobbsd. Wi
loves tender instinct, the mother drew h
arm tightly around her boy, and then the
,n was silence for the space Of nearly minuI
"A ut was an accident, am sure" whisp,
!, cd the mother, placing her lips close TO 4
" ear Of her boy.
ne "lndeed, il wasp John Answsrod ba
nd With earnestness. s'My hand slipped, as
W tried 10 get my book away from hsr, and
on struck her in the faca. was 50 sovyl"
lis What less could the mother do than ki
At, with Ardor tho fair brow Of her boy, again
o. whom, under tho influence Of anger, 81
al had passed hasty judgment. she almo
I'd shuddercd. as she thought Of the unjust pu
gh ishmont sho had come nigh inaictipg, Vii
olind ffom sudden excitement