Holmes County Republican. [volume] (Millersburg, Holmes County, Ohio) 1856-1865, 1859-07-14
From the Wool Grower.
Two WAYS of Doing the Same Thing.

some WOOD" said Mrs. Briggs to her son,
boy of about twelve.
Henry was down on his knees before
the kitchen fire, busy as busy could be,
fixing his skates, and did not notice the re-
quest. :,
All winter had be been waiting and
watching and wishing for a cold day that
would freeze over the pond, and give him
good chance for skate. Once before
the ice had been strong enough, but it was
on Thursday, and he could not leave
school. But now it was just right, cold,
clear, and Saturday, too, and all the boys
would be out and he should have such a
nice time. He had risen very early, and
had all his chores done in good season, all
but bringing in the wood, and he was some
what startled and vexed, when his father,
who was stern man, spoke out roughly
aHenry! you, sir! Why don'tyo start
when your mother speaks to you?"
| sOh, he's crazy about them skates. He
won't see nor hear anything" observed the
mother.
ayes, I can too" answered Henry, hasti-
". sBut want to get off; all the boys
will be there before me. always have to
do everything" he muttered, as he passed
out the door, and hastily returning with
his arms full, he dashed it down into the
wood-box and snatching his skates, was
about to escape, when his mother again re-
ouired that he should go to neighbors, of
an errand.
aWhy can't you send Jane! She hasn't
ANYTHING else 70 do," demanded the disap-
pointed boy.
aBecause don't please to send Jane
1t won't take you an hour, so go right
along"
Bang. went the skates into the corner,
as the blood mounted to his face and brow,
and almost choking with rage, he prepared
to do the bidding of his mother.
sNone of your pouting," said Mr.'BIiggs.
aGo hang up those skates, and don't you
take them down again, to-day. I'll teach
you to dash things about IN that style,
when your mother asks you to help her.
Henry went on his erraud-and Mr..
Briggs away to his work; the former griev-
ed and angry beyond CONTROL, the latter
to forget the injustice and wrong done his
enthusiastic and energetic child, amid the
turmoil of business.
Henry ran as fast as his feet could carry
him, hoping that his alacrity might soften
his father, and that he would leave word
with his mother, and that he yet might have
permission to enjoy the sport Of the day.
i But bis father had forgotten him; for
gotten his own childhood and its crosses,
and remembered only the stern discipline
which he fancied had made man of him.
Henry could see the pond, and with tear
full ewes, he watched his flying companions.
It was too much-he fairly wept, and al
most wished be had not any father, and
could 90 like Walter Graves, just where he
pleased.
At last a thought struck him, his father
did not say he should not skate, only that
he must not take down bis skates, and away
he flew to the pond, and arrived just as
Walter Graves was coming off of the ice.
"Why amt you skating, Hen!" said
Walter, as he stopped to unstrap.
aHain't go no skates" was the half false
response. M ~
! aOh! here, then, you may have mine
I'm going home. You may have them as
, long as you please, if you won't hurt them
So Henry forgot all his troubles, and
was sailing over the polish floor beneath
his feet, with all the jubliIant mirth thai
bursts from boyhood upon such occasions
Time flew rapidly, and Henry was as
tonished and coufounded, when the noon
, bell summoned him home. He had some
misgivings-he did not feel that he had
| been quite truthful, but still be paeifed bis
conscience, by thinking be had not really
disobeyed his father; and SO he walked
bravely to the door, and was about to en-
, ter, when his father stepped out and taking
him by the arm, led him out into the barn
I, and without word of parley or even ex
7 PLANTATION, gave the boy most terrible
; chastisement.
There was never more kindly boy thar
Henry Briggs. His sensitive, generous ma
!. ture, led him to he sometimes las We have
t, seen in the morniug) a little petulant; bu
/ kind word would make him gentle and
, forbearing, even self-sacri6ci9g.
1t was sad disappointment to lose the
, fine skating of the only day in the who.'
! season that he could use. How terribly
sad the day that closed with SO many
bright hopes ended. He knew that he hac
: not deserved such severity; he felt that hi'
q stern parent might have asked him, at least
: why be was on the ice, and then he couie
have explained all. " 8 Vs.
Mr.. Briggs completed his work, and lef
. his son smarting with the powerful blows
. and indignant atthe treatment he received
: When his father was out of sight, the boy
! leaned his head against the hay-rick, anc
let tears fall unrestrained.
He'cast his eye over the few brief year,
: of his life. He remembered nothing from
. his parental guide, but stern, cold discip
I. line, thwarting of all his boyish hopes ant
plans, everlasting labor, and undeservec
= : punishment. From his mother, too, h'
had received much petulant faultfinding
and exacting obedience, "Do it because
!, saw so! was her clearest reason for every
f imposed toll,
There the boy stood, sadly pondering
when Tom Skies, the stable boy, came in
|. and with merciless cruelty, began to teas
: and worry the already nervous and sensi
: tive child. He left the barn by the bacl
8 entrance, and wandered out to the street.
. "What should he do 7"
;. "Run away" came voice, speaking t.
n his heart; ''run away and 60 to sea-"