Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1860-03-09

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Mary Burnham wiped drop from be
own eye, for, to tell the truth, she hac
felt little nervous over this experiment
of the children, but, disliking to dam
their enthusiasm, had said nothing o
her fears.
There was no restraining the it'll,
ones any longer. Danma, happy New
Year ? shouted Charlie. running up t,
her, and Happy New Year ? Happy
New Year, resounded fran the whole.
Why, bless your souls said the ole
lady, wiping her eyes, i don't know
what to say, / DON'T feel
Oats mine shouted Charlie, pulling
out the black cat by the ears, ant
bouncing it into her lap. 4 dive dat
And Bessie made that exclaimed
Tom; made It herself, and mother
quilted the hood; isn't il nice ?
And Tom made this cricket for your
feet said Anna it wouldn't 60 into the
stocking, but here it is And Tom
looked out Of the window and began to
whistle.
Well, it does beat ALL said the old
lady. never see the like Of this ia.
mily; you're all just like your mother,
and that's compliment, ! can tell you.
| thank you all very much indeed. !
know your old grandma is pretty cross,
sometimes; but You mustn't mind il, old
folks can't be like young ones
Well, mother, a happy New Year
to you, said Stephen, in his clear, manly
voice, as he came in from the wood-shed;
fine bright morning it is, and hope
you'll enjoy many SUCH
lie had never called her mother before
never since in fit of boyish passion
ne mad vowed he never would-nerer !,
and the wealth of a kingdom could not
have so rejoiced his wife's heart, as did
that one word. 1t showed that the good
IN him was overcoming the evil.
Yes; Mary Burnham's " experiment
had been successful. There had been
trying days after the arrival of the new
inmate; days in which all that was evil
seemed 10 be brought into exercise
when Stephen was irritated, and spoke
severely; when Tom was sent TO his own
room, and supperless 10 bed, because he
was impertinent to his grandmother +:
when Bessie was in disgrace for making
up faces at her; when even the patience
OF the gentle mother was so exhausted
she sought her bed, feeling as if she could
never survive another such day, and
wondering if she had done right. and If
ever they should again be quiet. order
" household as before. But such DAYS
had been lived through somehow; and
now similar troubles were of very rare
occurrence. The old lady's heart had
gradually softened in that atmosphere of
love, and better thoughts had come to her.
TIL now she had quite lost the old feeling
OF luminosity to hrr step-son, and was re-
ally attached to his wife and children
Sui she was no saint, nor was ever likely
to be. But Mary saw a bright side TO
everything.
! really think, Stephen, she said that
night, that mothers coming here was the
best thing that could have happened for
the children. They have been taught
lessons OF self-cnntrol and self-sacrifiee
by it. which will be worth more than
gold or silver; they have learned to keen
quiet under provocation; to give gentle
word aud kind deed in reply for harsh
one-and l know it has done nv own
soul good-the effort to always feel lust
right Yes, | think We all love mother
now; and she Is so much changed
Yes, but they would not have loved
her, IT you had not always managed to
cover up all the wrong, aud show them
all the good in herr
% Stephen, l have not done that II
have SO often felt irritated and upkindlv
myself
One thing l am sure Of said heri
husband 1t has done me good. have
-ried to forget old injuries, and to do my
luty to her and it has given me peace
Jt mind, and the old bitterness has ALL
gone now. 1t is better TO do good 10
hose that have tried to injare US.
1t is always well to do right, answered
Mary, her eye beaming with inward
light.
And peace folded her soft wing over
hat home, and the blessing of God resi-
ID upon all It's inmates 49,
To There are in Pennsylvania lI,485
public schools, l4,07l teachers and 634
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