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

anger HdTSuHeSS uahuiMiy pIouuCeS aH :
tagonism; oft repeated punshments,
and for trivial offences, are the parents
of rebellion-but love, Bella, quickens
love into life. There is more true pow
er for good in the tender, sympathetic
tones of mother, warm with mother
love, than in her most imperative COM
mand, or sternest interdiction. Her mis-
sion is to lead, not to drive her children
in the right way
Aunt Rachel paused to note the effects
of her planly-spoken admonition. Her
niece had startled look, but made no
reply.
i have not heard you speak single
kind, approving word to that boy since |
have been here, resumed Aunt Rachel.
How can l speak approvingly when
he does wrong? How can encourage
him to disobedience by smiling when he
sets my commands at defiance .
l fear Bella, that you call many
things wrong that are done innocently
on his part. You follow him up too close
ly, and scold him too much for things
trivial, or of no account. You have not
once, that l 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 harshly
made. Forgive me, Bella, for this plain
speech but see your error SO plainly,
that must point it out. You have for
gotten the pithy adage about honey
catching more flies than vinegar. Try
the honey, my dear-try the honey! /
am sadly afraid that you are shadowing
the life of the chld-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 rankIy-
springing weeds, trying TO struggle up
into the air and light, few flowers OF
affection were family visible.
'Oh, Bella, search for these as for pr :
cious treasures water them with the
dews of love, and let the hearts warm
sunshine go down into the earth around
them. Don't think SO much about the
repression and determination of evil, as
about the growth and development Of
good. But first of all, put your own
house in order. Regulate your own
heart. Repress anger, pride, self-will,
love of ruling, indignation 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
silence. 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 the iron, SO will
you attract him. Forget that he has Of
tended you. or, if you think of it, and
speak of it, let il be as though you were
grieved, not angry. Love for his moth
er will bind him to the law of obedience
when fear of punishment would only i'm
pei him to its violation
Bella arose quickly. She looked into
her aunt's face, but made no response.
Tears were in her eyes as she left the
apartment. Going up stairs TO the room
into which Edward had been banished,
she opened the door and went in with a
quiet step. The boy started as she en-
tered, and looked around from his work
Of marking with pencil on the white
window sash. He was doing wrong and
being caught in the act, expected pun
ishment, or an angry lecture. So he
put on a look of defiance. But his moth
err, instead of blazing out upon him, as
was her wont, sat down in a strange, qui-
ct way, and said, Edward SO softly and
gently that he could only stand aud look
at her in surprise.
Edward she repeated his name, and
now with tenderness that made his
heart leap. Her hands were held out
towards him. Dropping the pencil, he
advanced step or two, looking wonder
ingly at his mother. She still held out
her hands. Come dear He was By
her side in an instant.
Do you love mother p An arm was
drawn gently around him. lie did not
answer in words, but put his arms around
her neck and kissed her. What thrill
went trembling TO her heart.
love EDDY. lne tittie arms ught-
ened about her neck, and the little head
went down nesting upon her bosom.
Oh love you SO much The half
smothered voice was full Of childish ear.
nestness.
win Eddy be good for mother %
Won't never be naughty again Ed
ward stood up. speaking in resolute
way, and looking full in his mother 5
face. If | can help it, he added lii
tie less confidently.
oh, Eddy can help il if he WILL said
his mother, smiling encouragement into
his face.
Something was on the lip Of the boy,
but he kept it back from utlerance.
~. What was.it. dear? What were you
Thus encouraged, Edward said. drop
his eyes rs he spoke.
III forget sometimes I'm most sure
| will. But-'
lie paused with the sentence uninsh-
ed.
But what. dear p
'Don't scold me then, mamma. Kiss
me, and I'll be sorry 7
He caught his breath with sob, and
his mother drew his head against her