The Buchanan County guardian. (Independence, Buchanan County, Iowa) 1858-1864, 1860-09-11

stairs, be will, almost surely, go down
if | have said go down, he will go up.
Always, he is desirous to gain the inter
dicted object. 1t is marvellous, this per-
version Of his mind. You don't know
how it distresses me. There Just lis
ten. He's pounding on the floor again,
as sure as l live. And what is more,
he will keep at it. in spite of threat or
punishment. Now, what am to do
do with such boy, Aunt Rachel I've
tried everything, but it's of no use."
Suppose, Bella, you let him come
down, and see me. Maybe. that will
get him out of his present unhappy state
of mind"
"But, aunt" objected the mother,
"don't you see that he would then con-
slider himself as having triumphed."
"Pm not sure he would think any
thing about it. He would come into a
better state of mind than the one that is
now ruling him and this it seems to
me, would be something gained. 1t is
in the sunshine that affections grow, not
not in storm and Darkness"
Bella sat rejecting for some time.
She did not like the thought of yielding
to her rebellious child, in the smallest
degree. Pride and love of rule, influen-
ced her as much as a sense of duty
perhaps little more. In giving up, she
felt that she must experience degree of
humiliation
Forgive him, this time, for my sake, -
argued Aunt Rachel. 81 shall not en-
JOY my visit if he is under punishment
all the afternoon"
After further debate with herself, the
mother left the room and went up to her
imprisoned boy. He was pounding on
the floor when she turned the key and
entered.
Edward p she spoke sternly.
The little fellow started up, with look
half fearful, half defiant.
You are very naughty boy -
Edward set his lips firmly, and knit
his fair young brows.
& How dare you pound on the floor
after | had forbidden it 70
Edward moved back step or two.
There was danger in his mothers eyes.
Why don't you answer me when /
speak ?"
Il couldn't help it," stammered the
child.
Couldn't help it ! Amt you afraid to
give me such an answer % and hand
moved, half involuntarily, as if blow
were about to follow.
Aunt Rachel is down stairs"
Oh, is she ?" Two little hands came
together with a sound like kiss and
waves of sunshine swept suddenly over a
face that was dark and stormy moment
before. 9e
I've great mind not to let you see
her, after all this naughty behavior"
The mother could not forgive him
Instantly the smile went out from Ed
wards face /; but he looked neither peni-
tent nor deprecating. She turned from
i'm as though she would leave him still
in prison but there was no sign of weak
ness-only the disfiguring scowl OH his
face that made it So painful to look upon.
Come" The mother coldly extern
ded her hand. Edward advanced toward
her with slow steps, and giving his hand
in reluctant manner, as il there were no
pleasure for him in the touch, followed,
half behind her. down into the sitting
room.
"Here's that naughty boy !" This
was Edwards s introduction to his moth
er's Aunt.
Now don't pout your lips after that
fashion ?" was added, reprovingly.
Kiss Aunt Rachel"
Edward wanted to throw bis arms
about Aunt Rachel's neck, and kiss her
to his hearts content but the reproof
and command sent an evil spirit of resis-
tance into him, and he merely put up
his lips with an air which said for his
mother, who did not see his face" |
don't want TO kiss her but Aunt Ra-
chel saw love in his eyes.
"If you cant behave better than that,
you'd better 60 up stairs again"
"Oh. he's behaving nicely" said
Aunt Rachel, as she drew an arm around
the boy. And then she began to talk TO
him in a way that soon commanded all
his attentions. But, his mother would
give him no peace. 1t was
Don't ride on your Aunt in that
way,"or.
"Just see there, you rude fellow. your
feet are on Aunt Rachel's dress" Or
Don't twist your shoulders so y Or,
You'd better go away from Aunt
Rachel you are annoying her."
Not in the least" Aunt Rachel re-
replied to this, drawing her loving arm
close abou, the pleased child, in whose
bright young face she read whole vol
ume of golden promise, if there were on
w wise hand to turn the leaves.
But. half an hour did not pass before
Edward ana h;a "a,har came into di-
rect collision, and he was sent in disgrace
from the room.
Now what am | 10 do, Aunt Rs-
chel ?" said the mother, in half-des-
pairing voice.
:. You see what self willed, disobe-
dient, reckless boy he is. How he re-
sists me in everything. What am l to
do"
Learn the first lesson in governing
others" replied Aunt Rachel, with con
siderable gravity of manner.