The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1859-01-29
soifcoutrol..A Family Inoiaout,

frl John struck mg in the face with oil his
might Oh dear on dear II kurls 30 "
And the child pressed her hand agalnsl
hof check, aud threw her head backwards and
forwards ~ II she we're in great pain,
The lady's face Redeemed, instantly, aud the
book fell from her hand ~ The iinOr Start
ing up, she went huffldly from the ROOM
There was anger In her heart against John,
and IN the blindness Of her sudden indigna-
+ ton, aho resolved 90 punish him with se-
we're chnstisemeHt. Bul ere Ahe reached the
apartment in which her child had been play-
ing, che pdushd suddenly and stood stlll, a
timely thought Rlanciug through Der mind,
had arrested her steps
" This will not do, ! must control my
self" she said, speaking half aloud. Then,
after q rrsolute strife With her angry feelings,
the mother went hack to the room whore she
had lei, her weeping child, and sitting down
. 10 her old place, said, with a. calm aud steady
a voice us she could assumed
"Agucs, lcl me see YOUR check"
oh dear! How IL hurts " s0hbed Agnes,
a. slse came u Ler muihrrA side. her hand
slill pressed 10 her face.
The lady gently removed the hand, aud eX-
amIncd her l.tte giH's check, There Was a
red mark a. IL blow had been received but
no evidence Of bruiae-
"Agucs,' said the mother nos speaking
very calmly and gently, yrt with q Grnnew
that NJ once subducd the excitement Of her
ehild's mind want you 90 stop crying, aud
tell me all about this trouble With John"
The child's tears ceased % How aud she
looked up Into her mothers face.
",ARrcs, Who gave the first proyocation in
this matter you or Juhny"
John struck me In the face :" replied the
child, o,ineil < a great deal Of angry feeling
towards her brother.
"Why did h" strike you p"
Agnes Wus silent.
WHO snw the trouble between YOU and
John " inquired the mother.
why, Mary saw IL, shell tell you that
John struck me in the face With all his night"
"rcll Mary that | wish 20 see hcr."
Agnes vent Tor her sister. When they re-
turned the mother sid ,-
"NoW, Mary, tell me al about this trouble
With John and Agucs,"
"You saw him strike me, didn't YOU,
Mary 2" said Agnes, with the rugcrucss uf
rrsvptu,"ut.
~ill a1cstoq Mary" said the mother
land while ! avn doing su, Nuu, Aghrs, must
have nothing 10 CAV Amer MaIy has finish.
ed, then you can coirc.l her statement II YOU
wish tu do 40. Now, Mary, day ON"
well, mother, III tell you just how il
was said Mary, Agnes VAS teasing John,
and John got angry"
And struck his sistcr," There was a
tone Of severity ia the mothers voice,
81 think the blow vas accidental" said
Mary, John declared that it was, aud tricd
his best 10 comlurt.\gupsi even promising
to give hel his pet kittru, y sHC woutt stup
cy ing, aud not make trouble by telling you.
Bot she was angry, and would not listen to
him"
TEL me just what occurred, Mary. -aHd
thgla a4.sit ssllstty TOW Fir Doth wire
To blame
well" answered Mary, John and were
| playing chceqrers, and Agnes would, every
nov ard then, steul,up behind John and push
his elbow when he Sas making move 1t
worried him, and he asked her over ana over
again not To do So But she didn't mind
what hc said. At last John pushed the
board from him, and wouldn't play any longer
lie was angry. Still Agnes seemed beat on
annoying him. J Jlhn got book and sat
down near the window 20 read. lie had not
been there long before Agnes stole up be-
hind him, whipped the book out OF his hand
and ran away. John sprung AFTER her, aud
they had struggle for the book, in which
Agnes got "a blow upon the face. was
looking al them, and think tho blow was
accidental 1t seemed SO at the time, and
John declares that he did not mean to strike
her. That is all, mother"
Call your brother" said the lady, in Il
subducd voice. John entered the room in a
/ FEW titemehts He was pale, and looked
/ troubled.
My son" said the mother, speaking with
out apparent excitement, Yet with touch Of
sorrow in her voice, did you strike Agnes
on purpose ?'
The boys lips quiycrcd, but no answer
came through them. lie looked into his
mothers eyes for a moment or two until
tcurs btindrtl him. and then he iuid hts face
down upon her bosom and sobbed. With
loves tender instinct, the mother drew her
arm tightly round her boy, and then there
was silence for the space OF nearly minute.
1t was an accident, | am sure" whispered
the mQther, placing her lips close TO thUsear
her boy.
Indeed il was I" John answered back with
earnestness. "My hand slipped as tried 10
get my book away from her, and it struck her
in the face. was 50 sorry|
What less could the mother do than kiss
with ardor the iair brow OF her ouy, against
whom under the influence of anger she has
passed hasty Judgment. She almost shud-
dered at the thought OF the unjust punish
ment she had come nighintiictlng while blind
] from sudden excitement.
/ "The chief blame, see, rests with Agnes"
I said the lady, turning with some severity of
I Voice aud countenahcc towards her little girl,
who now stood with the aspect of culprit
instead Of an accuser
1t was her fun, mother" John spoke up
! quickly. "She loves TO tease you know, and
l was wrong to get angry"
=" But teasing does not come from a good
| spirit" replied the mother, "and am sorry
| that my little girl can find no higher enjoy
ment than the pleasure of annoying her
! brothers and Sisters | am satisfied with
[ you, John, but not with Agnes udnow you
may leave Us alone.
! John aud Mary went out, and left their
mother alone with Agnes When The little
/ girl joined her brother and sister some time
afterwards, she had q sober face like one
whose spirit was not at ease with itself She
had tscH Ruttry u ct5,tssise- -ref;f;, and had
come near drawing down upon her innocent
brother an unjust punishment. So clearly
/ md h.,r r,,nthnr hrnnrht IL. 10 H. -.