Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1859-05-20

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dasardly as well as wicked.
An hour went by-how full of sufii ring
and then, after long and painful srug-
gle with himself John came 10 where his
mother sat sewing, in the nursery. and. sit
ting down on low chair beside her, leaned
his arms upon her lap, and looked up, with
fearful eyes into her face.
WHY, John, what ails you? said his
mother in surprise.
i broke th- vase, mother.
How mournful were the poor boys tones!
You John"
He said not a word more, but hid his
face on his mothers lap, and cried bi terly.
How came you TO do it, John? asked his
mother. after he had grown calmer.
1t was all an accident, indeed it was
but, oh, what viii father Say?.
He will be grieved aud angry. You
should not have gone to his ROOM
i Went for book, and intended to have
come right out, but something interested
me, and l forgot myself. Oh, what shall |
do ?
You must tell your father about it as
soon as he comes home
But he'll not forgive me. He thought
so much OF the vase; it was so beautiful.
But he needn't give me the gold watch for
a birth day present. Couldn't he buy
another vase for the money that would cost
don't care ant thing about the watch.
Oh, I'd rather never have a watch or any,
thing else, than that he should be angry
with me; and he gets so angry and says
81, -,
fault and it seems as If am ALWAYS dong
wrong. Won't You tell him about the vase.
mother? / wish you would. Tell him /
didn't do it on purpose, that | am so sorry,
that I'll try never again in nv lite to do
anything TO offend him That mother saw
deeper into her boys heart than she had
pv,r seen before. i have heen so tempted
TO conceal it, he said. Fathers anger
seemed SO dreadful to me, that | thought !
conld not hear it,
Nothing is so hard to bear, my son, as
The burden of troubled conscirrce, said
the mother. oh, never forget thisP
You'll speak to father about it, won't
you !? John asked, en'reatingly.
perhaps had better do So
Tell him how sorry am. that il was all
an accident, that he needn't buy me the
watch
The mothers heart was deeply touched
at tile distress Of her hoy, and she felt il to
lie her durv 10 staud lovingly between him
and the quick anger Of an impulsive, yet
not crual-minded, father.
Evening came and with it the fathers
Dreaded return. As soon as the mother
was alone with him, she said your agate
vase is broken
What? His face grew Instantly Grim
son. Broken? Who did ii =
John
John? Where is he 2
The father was already on his feet, re-
solved undrr the Ilind impulse Of the mo.
ment, to punish his son with extreme Sc
verify. He lad asked no explanations !;
everything against TIE poor boy was taken
for era, ted
1t was an accident said the mother.
sBut what business had he to touch the
vase 7 was angriIy responded.
He was g-tting "A book from the shelf,
when it fell from his hand upon the vase
That's his story
He is truthful boy urged the mother.
He's med lcsome fellow. always inter
fering with matters in which h has no cin-
crrn. I'll punish him for this, and severely,
too. I'll teach him lesson that he'll not
soon forget And he moved towards the
door; but the mother laid her hand upon
his arm.
He has been punished enough already
said she.
who punished him? You?
If you had seen him as | have seen him,
you would feel pity, Instead of wrath
Don't speak harsh word TO him. lie IS
nearly sick now, from dread of meeting
your anger. He says you needn't buy him
the gold watch for birth day present, but
keep the money for a new vase. He was
strongly tempted to conceal his fault, and
he might easily have done so, for | found
the cat in your room. and thought that she
had done the mischief
"Dd he know that you thought so
The fathers voice was much softeued.
Yes. and he saw that he coull escape
without suspicion but truth and honesty
prevailed over fear. He came TO me of his
own accord. and confessed all.'
l. or some time. llle ld'iti itihaH'F" oi-
lent, steadily repressing his excited feel
ings until his mind was clear and calm
again; then he said, tell John to come here ;
| would like TO see him alone.
John, your father wants you
How pale the lad grew instantly.
'Don't be afraid whispered the mother.
And yet, his knees smote together as he
went almost tottering, from sudden weak
ness, TO his fathers room. Entering he
scarcely daredraise his eyes from the floor.
My SON.
Oh, what load fell suddenly from his
heart The voice was neither loud nor
angry. but low, sympathizing, and tender.
To have restrained the impulse that instant
ly seized him would have been impossible.
.Fatherl dear fathrrp exclaimed the
boy, clssping his arms about his neck, 1 am
so sorry 1t was all an accident. Oh
I what shall do z
I Only be more careful in the future John,
said The father. as soon as be could com.
l mand his voice. .rhe vase is broken, and
no grief or regret can mend il. You hay,
/ told The truth about il; YOU have sh0wr