Lamoille newsdealer. [volume] (Hyde Park, Vt.) 1860-1877, 1860-12-14
DoN,T HURT THE LITTLE ONES.
BY T. S. ARTHUR.

coming under the window at which lady
and gentleman were sitting in pleasant
talk commenced whistling so loudly as al
most to drown their voices. This sudden,
,car-splitting assault upon their quiet an
'noyed the gentleman, and leaning out he
called, in a sharp voice.
"Off with you, sir How dare you
make such a noise under peoples win
,dows?"
The boy started, in a half-frightened
wav. flushed scarlet-red, and then returned
slowly across the street.
1t was the mans wife who had reproved
him for the harsh way in which he had
spoken to the child.
"The noisy little wretch twill teach
him better manners" he remarked, IN an
swer to the wifes remonstrance..
"Hcs dear, good little boy" said the
lady. land was whistling from the same
happy impulse that opens the singing
birds mouth. I've noticed him often
playing about in his innocent gayety of
heart. It isn't right to wound where no
harm is meant. Just see how all the life
has gone out of him. as he stands leaning
against the tree-box, with his eyes cast
down on the pavement"
"All fancy, dear replied the husband
in a light tone :" He's forgotten my brief
lecture already, and is now medltatlng
some mischief, or raid, perhaps into his
mothers cake closet"
.Some children are not so quick at
forgetting There arc sensitive little ma.
lures that feel a harsh word with such
smarting acuteness that the sense Of pain
is never wholly obliteratcd; and if | am
not mistaken, you have hurt just such a
nature. See, the boy has left the tree
box, and is now sitting on his fathers
doorstep with an air and attitude of al
most pitiable depression. You hurt him
badly, Edward"
"All gucss-work Annie. Your imag-
ination is running away with you"
"No; we see clearer in the present,
sometimes, by the light of memory" an
swered the wife, 8" 1t is my belief that
you have thrown a repellant image of
yourself upon the heart of that child, and
will remain distinct for years--perhaps
through his whole lifetime"
"Preposterous!" calculated the hus-
band
"I wouldn't have my image thus dis
torted, impressed on childs memory
for any consideration.
You are in a strange way of thinking.
What possesses you to 60 on in this
strain?' said the husband, beginning to
feel slightly annoyed. ilu -
"As just intimaated," replied the lady,
'"memory often helps us to clearer-seeing
in the present was sensitive child,
and can understand how impressions may
fix themselves 50 strongly as to defy
times work of obliteration. | was hurt
by few sharp words when not older than
the boy sitting over there, and the re-
membrance of the pain produced is with
me to-day. The lady who said the sharp
words may not have thought Of them
again. But can never forget. meet
her occasionally, but always find myself
unpleasantly affected in her company,
for thought will 60 stealing backward, and
fancy reproduce one little scene that /
have tried more than hundred times, to
bury in forgetfullness." Isiea ab d
"Why, Anne Y exclaimed her husband,
."what a confession. j never suspected
you of holding malice after that fashion"
."It isn't malice, Edward. bear the
lady no ill-will. Iwould serve her in any
thing that was right and in my power
But she gave me so deeply cut wound
that it has not healed to this day. Is it
my fault or hers ?'' lis ~.t
:" 1t is the fault of the flesh that doesn't
heal with healthy quickness. Is it not SO,
.Annie?" said the husband ,...s,.
No excuse for wanton cutting and
thrusting, but strong argument against
felt very happy. My heart glowed with
q loving warmth that quickened every
nalse and ltaue rllersant thrilla to LIZ