Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1859-09-15
INTO THE SUNSHINE.


"
an aunt. who was sitting in the room with
book in her hand. The boy raised him
self from the sofa, where he had been lying
in tears for half an hour. and with touch
Of Indignation in his voice, answered:
Hell be sorry, not angry. Father
never gets angry"
For few moments the aunt looked at
the boy half curiously, and let her eyes
fall again upon the book that was in her
hani The boy laid himself down on the
sofa again and hid his face from sight.
That's father, nowt' He started up,
after the lapse of nearly ten minutes. as the
sound of bell reached his ears. and went
totbe room door. He stood there for
little while. aud then came slowly back.
saying with disappointed air: ut isn't
father. | wonder what keeps him so late
oh, / wish he would comep'
S..You seem anxious to get deeper into
trouble" remarked the aunt. who had
only been in the house for week. and who
was neither very amiable nor very sympa-
shizing towards children. The boys fault
bad provoked her, and she considered him
q fit subject for punishment.
Il believe. aunt Phebe, that you'd like
to see me whipped" said the boy. little
warmly "but you won't"
II must confess" said aunt Phebe
"that think little wholesome discipline
of the kind You speak of would not be
out Of place II you were my child, l
am very sure you would not escape"
al am not your child; | don't want to
be. Fathers good and loves me-"
"If your father is SO good. and loves
you SO well, you must be very migrate
full or very ineonsiderae boy. HIS
goodness don't seem to have helped you
m1eh."
."Hush, will you" calculated the boy,
excited to anger by this unkindness of
speech.
.'Phebei'
1t was the boys mother who spoke now
for the first time. In an un lertone she
added
lyon are wrong. Richard is suffering
quite enough, and you are doing him harm,
rather than good
Again the bell rang. and again the boy
left the sofa, and went TO the sitting room
door.
Its fatheri'' and he wen, gliding down
stairs.
"Ah, Richarlr' was the kindly greeting.
as Mr. Gordon took the hand of his boy.
but what's the matter, my son? you don't
look happy"
"won't you come in here?' And Rich
ard drew his father into the library. Mr..
Gordon sat down, still holding Richards
hand
"Youare in trouble. my son. What has
happened?"
The eyes of Richard filled with tears as
he looked in his fathers face. He tried to
answer, but his lips quivered. Then he
turned away, and opening the door of the
cabinet, brought out the fragments of bro
ken statuette which had been sent home on
ly the day before and set them on table
before his father, over whose countenaRce
came instantly shadow of regret.
"Who did this, my SON." was asked in
an even voice.
II did it,
''How?"
81 threw my ball in there once,-only
once. in forgetfulness."
The poor boys tones were husky and
tremulous. A little while Mr.. Gordon
sat controlling himself. and collecting his
disturbed thoughts. Then he said cheer
fully, "XVhat is done. Richard, can't DC
helped Put the broken pieces away
You have had trouble enough about it /
can see-and reproof enough for your
houghtlessness--so shall not add word
to increase your pain"
80, father" and the boy threw his arms
about his fathers neck "You are so kind,
so goodp
Five minutes later, and Richard entered
the sitting-room with his father. Aunt
Phebc looked up for two Swallowed faces,
but did not see them. She was puzzled.
THAT was very unfortunate" she said,
. little while after Mr.. Gordon came in
ut was such an exquisite work of art. 1t
Is hopelessly ruined
Richard was leaning against his father
when his aunt said this. Mr. Gordon only
smiled and drew his arms closely around
has boy. Mrs. Gordon threw upon her
sister q look of warning, but 1t was IN
needed.
Il think Richard was very naughty
boy"
1--WE have settled all that. Phebe.' was
the mild, but firm answer of Mr. Gordon;
"and il is one of our rules to get into the
sunshine rs quick as possible"
Phebe was rebuked, while Richard looked
grateful. and. it may be. alittle triumphant,
for his aunt had borne down upon him
rather too hard for boys patience to. en-
dure.
INTO the sunshine as quickly as possiblel
o, Is not that the-better philosophy for our
h0mesg Is it not true Christian philoso
ply! 1t is sel6shness that grows angry
and repeIs because fault has been commit
ted. Let us get the offender into the sun
shine as Quickly as possible, SO that true
thoughts and right feelings may grow Wig
orous in Its warmth. We retain anger,
not that anger may act as wholesome
discipline, but because we are unwilling
to forgive All, If we were always right
with ourselves, we would oftener be right