The Lancaster ledger. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1852-1905, 1860-04-04
Srlerte0 Sturq.
From The Field and Fireside.l
ED WARD LEACH;
! he Unreasonable Father.
br MRS EMMA =. PRADr.

Tie words Of Holy Writ, Children
Obey your parents, for this is right in the
sighl "f ths Lord,' are not more impor.
'apI than the following command pa
the's, provoke not your children to anger,
ieN they ue discouraged
Although Abel Leacl. often repeated
the former cOmusnl TO his children, lie
secmed 10 have forgotten The latter ; for,
Ius'esd Of The kind adviser and loving
parent. he Mas tho household tyrant -
Not only did hls children feel the power
OF hIa iron will, but hi. gentle, loving
wife ~ho, eighteen year. ago, had stood
bel &c him at the altar, had often had
cause 10 weep bitter tears, for his harsh
meas.
Yet Absl Leach WAS, in the main, a
kind hearted man, and really loved Iii,
children, and his one failing might, per
hsps, be attributed to natural iuGorn
se'tshness, and not want OF affection
Ills wife was possessed Of a delicate,
sensitive nature, aud seemed born for
fslrer, purer world than this. She loved
MS such natures only can 1--we, but with
that love Was mingled an awe Of her hus
bands sterner nature, but she faithfully
tired to dhchsrge every wilely duty.
Edward, their eldest child, was an un.
usually bright, promising lad Of sixleen-
beloved 10y teacher and schoomstes, and
the especial pride q: hi. mother. lie
had been chosen to speak the Vaedicto.
ry address, at the Exhibition Of .
Academy. The address Was learned,
ard spoken again and again, with the
trees aud rocks for his audience. q, he
uudged night aud morning 10 aud from
the pasture; and VIXEN the chores wers
sll done, il mus, again be rebeafsed to
dear mother, aud he could not have found
n more willing or delighted auditor.
A. last the all important night arrived,
and Edward, with unusual aIacrity, per :.
formed his evening tasks.
Entering the house, he whispered, with
flushed cheeks:
Mother, shall ask father =
Certainly my child, he ia your father,
and, on all occasions, should be consul.
ted
But suppose he won't let me 90, mo-
iher,' and the boys eyes filled with tear.
at the thought Of being denied this plea,
are.
He will let you go, think, my son !;
put go and dress by the time he returns
from the pasture, where | see he has Just
gone
Tie blue cloth jacket, with its shining
orass buttons-a present from bis moth
er, and greatly prized-was taken from
its peg, the Sundsy shoes nicely BACKED,
bis hair brushed, aud his cheeks all aglow
in anticipation Of the evenings pleasure :
snd the thought Of certain pair of
young, black eyes, that lac knew would
be looking at him from among the audi.
ence, act his heart humping.
At last, his toilet complete, be dsscen.ls
10 the kitchen to leave good night kiss
upon his mothers lips. Lis father stood
10 the door, and as Edward stole a timid
look in bis face, ke saw cloud of dis
pleasure.
What do you mean, sir, by rigging up
in all that toggeryr
Father, | am chosen 10 speak the Val
edictoiy Address at the Academy, and I
wish t. 60, il you have no objection
But | hare objections, and now you
can umig, sr, and prepare yourself Tor
bed
The blood rGshed to the boys face, aud