Montgomery County sentinel. [volume] (Rockville, Md.) 1855-1974, 1860-10-19

icpcllloH pub ioFc, DelAa, QulckenS love
into life. There is more true power for
good in the tender, sympathetic tones of
a mother, warm with motherly love, than
in her most imperative command, or
sternest Introduction. Her mission is to
lead, not drive, her children in the right
way" as
Aunt Rachael paused to note the eff
fects Of her plainly spoken admonition.
Her niece had startled look, but she
made no reply.
Il have not heard you speak kind,
approving word to that boy since | have
been here" resumed aunt Rachel.
"How can ! speak approviugly when
he does wrong? How can | encourage
him to disobedience by smiling when he
sets my commands at defiance z"
:" l fear, Bella, that you call many
things wrong that are done innocently
in part. You follow him up too closely,
and scold him too much for things that
are of no account. You Lave rot
once, that have seen, this afternoon,
tried to divert him from anything that he
was doing not strictly in the line of your
approval; it was always command, and
always harshly made. Forgive me, Bel
la, for this plain speech but see your
error SO plainly that l must point it out
You have forgotten the pithy adage about
honey catching more flies thaLSyinegar.
Try the honey, my dear, try the honey.
! am sadly afraid that you are shadow
ing the life Of that child-shutting out
the sunshine, by which alone good plants
can vegetate in the garden of his soul
| have seen little besides an evil growth
to-day; yet down among the rankly-
springing weeds, trying to struggle up
into the air aud light, few flowers of
affection were family visible. Oh, Bel
la, search for these as for precious treas
ures; water them with the dews Of love,
and let the hearts warm sunshine 10
down into the earth around them. Don't
think SO much of the repression and ex-
termination of evil, as about the growth
and development of good. But first of
all, put your own house in order. Re-
gulate your own heart Repress anger,
pride, self-will, love of ruling, indigna-
ton at rebellion, let only affection reign
in your heart, and thoughts Of your
child's good fill your mind"
Bella sat in kind of bewildering 81
lence, and her aunt kept on
"Will you not act on my suggestion ?
Go to Edward and speak to him as if you
loved him. Let him feel the love in
your voice and see it in your eyes and,
as the magnet attracts iron, SO will you
attract him. Forget that he has offended
you; or, if you think of it and speak of
it, be as though you were grievod, not
angry. Love for his mother will blind
him to the law Of obedience, when fear
of punishment would only impel him to
its violation"
Bella arose quickly. She looked into
her aunts face, but made no response. -
Tears were in her eyes as she left the
apartment. Going up stairs into the
room in which Edward had been Danish
ed, she opened the door and vent in with
quiet step. The boy started as she en-
tered, and looked around from his work
of marking with pencil on the white
windowsash. He was doing wrong, and
being caught in the act, expected pun
ishment, or an angry lecture. So he put
on look of defiance. But bis mother, 4
instead of blazing out upon him, as was
her wont, sat down in strange, quiet
way, and said, Edward" 80 scf;ly and
gently that he could only stand and look |
at her in surprise.
Edward :" she repeated lis name,
and now with tenderness that made his
heart leap. Her hands we're held out
toward him. Dropping the pencil, he
advanced step OR two, looking wonder
ingly at his mother. She still held out
her hands
"Come dear" IIo was by her side
in an instant.
g Do you love mother" An arm was
drawn gently around him. lie did not
answer in words, he put his arm around
her neck and kissed her What thrill
Of pleasure went trembling to her heart
II love Eddy" The little arms tight
ened, about her neck, and the little head
went down, nesting upon her bosom
sob, / love you so much !" The
half-smothered voice was full Of childish
earnestness.
"Will Eddy be good for mother p
II won't never be naughty again p
Edward stood up, speaking in resolute
way, and looking full into his mothers
face. "If | can help it," he added, a
little less confidently.
"0h, Eddy can help Il if he will"
said bis mother, smiling encouragement
into his face
Something was on the lip of the boy,
but be kept it back from utterance.
What is it, dear? What were you
going to ay?"
Thus encouraged, Edward said, drop
ping his eyes as he spoke;
"I'll forget sometimes, I'm almost
sure / will--but ----"
He paused, with the sentence uufn-
ished.
But what, dear ("
"Don't scold me then, mamma. Kiss
me, and I'll be sorry"
lie caught his breath with sob, and
bis mother drew his head against her bo-
som and laid her fearful face down among
his golden curls.
When they entered the sitting-room, /
aunt Rachel saw that it was all right {
with them. She held out her hand to ,