The weekly north Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1857-1867, 1860-04-11
MISCELLANEOUS.
Written for the North Iowa Times
LDWARD LEACH.

BY EMMA F. PRADT
The words of Holy Writ, "Children.
obey your parents, for this is right in the
sight of the Lord" are not more important
than the following commands "Fathers,
provoke not your children to anger, lest
they be discouraged"
Although Abel Leach often repeated thu
(apun - inchi16ran, he seemed
the kind adviser aNd l6v1Ng plI
the household .tyrpt. Not ONT 0ll lis
children feel the power of his iron will, but
his gentle, loving wife, who eighteen years
ago stood beside him at the altar, often had
cause to weep bitter tears for his harshness
and unfeeling, selfish tyranny. 49,
Edward, their eldest child, was an unu-
sually bright, promising lad Of sxteen-be-
loved by his teacher and schoolmates, and
the especial pride of his mother. He had
been chosen to speak the Valedictory Ad-
dress at the Exhibition of l. Academy
The address was learned, and spoken again
and again, with the trees and rocks for his
audience, as he trudged along, night and
morning, to and from tn pasture; and
when his evening work was done, it must
be again rehearsed to his kind, loving moth
CT.
At last, the allimportant night arrived,
and Edward, with unusual alacrity, per-
formed his evening tasks. Entering the
house he whispered, with flushed checks
Mother, shall ask father! -
eyes, my child" she replied, "he is your
father, and should, on all occasions be con.
suited. But go and dress, before he arrives
from the village"
The blue coat, with its shining brass but
tons-a present from his mother, and great,
| ly priced . was taken from its peg, the Sun.
day shoes nicely BACKED, his hair brushed
and .is face glowing in anticipation of the
evenings pleasure, and the thoughts of a
certain pair Of black eyes that would ID ok
up from the audience at him, set his heart
humping.
"Of course" some of my readers will say
| Edward must be in love, like the hero Of
every story
Well, and is not love the sweetest note
in lite's harpsichord Is it not an attribute
of the Great Father? nay more, the very
atmosphere of Heaven?
| AT last, his toilette complete, he descends
to the kitchen to gain his fathers consent,
and leave goodnight kiss upon his moth
er's lips.
Mr.. Leach stood in the door and as Ed
ward cast a timid look in his face, he saw a
cloud of displeasure.
What do you mean, sir. by rigging up
in all this togsery?'
Father, am chosen to speak the Vale,
dictory Address at the Academy, and
wish to 60, if you have no objections"
but hdUe objections, and now you car
unrg, sir, and prepare yourself for bed"
The blood rushed to the boys brow, and
unheeding his mothers warning look, and
while the tide of anger was yelling up in
his young heart, he angrily replied:
"Well, iather, allmy lie | have been your
slave. Your word has been my law, anC
God knows Eve tried to do my duty. You
have denied me every pleasure, and hav,
submitted; but now l shall submit NJ
more. IshdU go!"
These last words were hissed through
his tightly closed teeth, and his eyes seem
I'd almost starting from their sockets.
"lou shaW well, We'll see ~ and seizns
a cow-hide he caught the retreating boy
and blow after blow fell upon his quiverinl
FORM
"Oh, Abel!' pleaded the mother, "yo,
are too harsh with Edward"
woman! know my own business =
And now, young man, you go to bed" ant
administering kick with his heavy, COW
hide boots which sent the boy reeling to tn
other side of the room he strobe out Of tn
door.
Did Abel Leach feel that he had don
right, and did his heart and conscience tel
him it was for the good of his boy, his first
born, this pleasure had been denied him
and the punishment administered in it
stead? No! for still small voice was a
that moment whispering, Fathers, provoke
not you children to anger, lest they be dis
couraged."
But the boy-retiring to his room, hi
heart filled with passion, he cursed the hou
that gave him birth, cursed the cruelty o
the parent who had made him the wretchc,
being he was, and almost cursed his God.
'lle shall never give me another whip
ping, for this night will | leave home
Time and again has he taunted me with be
ing burthen to him, and | will be SO NJ
more,' and rage, anger and modification
swept through the soul Of the lad.
AS he sat upon his little cot, his hea,
5 bowed upon his hands, and these thought
like Vesuvius burning in his heart, al
arm stole around him, and tear fell upo1
his face, and he knew it was his mothc
come, as she had often before done, to com
fort him, and as he threw himself upon he
loving bosom, he thought tor the first time
of the agony his departure would cause he
and his heart was almost broken at tn
thoughts of leaving all that was dear
3 him.
Crushing the passionate flood of tender