The weekly pioneer and Democrat. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn. Territory) 1855-1865, 1859-11-11
II STORY FOR MOTHERS.

Mother" said girl of ten years. a
have done all the work you gave me now
may Willie and 60 to Mr.. Gray's? %
a do wish you would keep out of the
way, and stop teasing" replied the mother,
as she gave her daughter push which sent
her Keeling against chair.
"Why, mamma" said Wilie-a bright,
sturdy little fellow of five years, who had
been busiy engaged for the hour making a
wooden knife for his sister-"Why, mamma
you promised we might 90 to day, and if
you don't let US it will be telling wrong
story"
"Well, do go along; stay an hour, and l
hope l shall have some peace while you are
gOne.''
Hurrah," said Willie, jumping up.
Where's my cap? Mamma, 1 can't reach
it,
cpl warrant railways someh ng to
hinder me; here, take your cap and go"
And with the same impatient step and
fro wing brow which had been seen all that
day, the mother passed again to her work.
But let us follow the children as they
leave the house. Sarah walks along with a
sensitive nature, and the harsh reproof so
often given is sure to cast shadow on her
heart and as Willie glances up into her
face, rebellious thoughts arise, and his eyes
fash Indignantly, as he says in comforting
tone,
Il wouldn't feel bad if mamma does scold
me. l shall be a dig man pretty soon, and
then I'll talk back to her as she does to US ;
and when get rich enough I'm going to
buy horse and carriage, and you and pa
may ride with me: but mamma shan't,
cause she amt good. Maybe she'll grow
old some time, and come to live with me,
just as grandma does to our house, and then
if she talks so to us I'll just shut her up in
the dark, wouldn't you?"
Little does that mother think she is sow.
ing seed in the young hearts which shall
spring up and yield hundred fold of
bitterness and sorrow.
X Y
Ten years have fled. Let us again visit
that dwelling. Where is now the gentle
Sarah, whom every one thought so sweet
tempered? She is there-but how changed !.
In former years the angry reproof woull
only cause flood of tears; but as day after
day, year after year, the harsh words fell
upon her ear, angry feelings began to surge
up, until her very nature became changed,
and she had learned at last to throw back
the bitter retort. Sadly darkened must be
the soul of that mother who thus wounds
and brushes the heart of the sensitive, until
hatred takes the place of love, and the Evil
Genius presides where once heavenly angels
loved to linger.
But we miss the brave little Willie.
Where can our pet have flown! In days of
yore his laughing eyes and sunny smiles
were always first to greet US; now we list
in vain for his coming footstep. He is
wanderer-exiled by his mothers frowns
and irritableness from an otherwise pleasant
home
Oh, mother how great an influence thy
tones of voice possess Are they rash and
vituperative? Are those tender blossoms
entrusted to your care made to feel they are
only trouble and burden Then MUIR
muir not, if, when the frosts of age have
whitened your locks-when your steps are
slow and feeble; and all the helplessnes ola
second childhood are upon you-you are
treated in like manner. Unloved- unhon-
ored, it may be-you will 60 down in sorrow
to your grave.
But let us turn, kind reader, to pleasan-
ter scene. Go with me to the house of Mr..
c.. The other, pleasant looking lady
is busily engaged with her morning duties.
Hardly have we entered ere the sound of
little feet is heard, and Charlie rushes in.
Mamma" said he, George Lane has
just the prettiest new sled that I ever saw
it is painted all over, and his name is in
large letters on the side, and he wants
should go home with him and ride on it
may ! go? ?"
eyes, my son." is the pleasant reply, if
you will be back in half an hour-I shall
want you then to do an errand for me.
Here, let me tie your scarf around your
neck be good boy and play pleasantly
with George land imprinting a kiss up
on his rosy lips, she turns again to her
work.
But where is little Allie, the pet of the
household The mother remembers that
she has not seen her for some time. "The little
rogue is in some mischief, l presume, else
she would not be so quiet; l must find her"
After looking in various places, she softly
opens the parlor door. and there sits the
''little one," with pussy by her side, and in
hand beautiful steel engraving, which she
had torn from book which adorns the
the centre table. We watch with interest
to note the effect upon the mother. Shall
we see her face flush with anger? Will she
pass along with hasty steps, seize the en-
craving, box the ears of the child, (uncon
scious of the wrong though she be,) saying
she never did see such a "youug one"
always doing something, she ought not to
do? Very many mothers would have pur-
sued such course, but not so with Mrs. G.
She stops at the door to listen, while Allie