Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1861-06-21

alone, and sat down with tears in her eyes 49,
cry clearly opened her duty before her.
ohc saw the way in which she should walk
but had she strength to keep her feet therein :
Self-conquest first Yes, that was the re-
quirement now How easy had been the con-
troll Of the children thus fai, after self-control
was gained How clearly she had seen what
was best to be said and done, and what
power had dwelt in mildly spoken sentences.
Obedience had seemed spontaneous Act fol-
lowed word as by cnchantment. Ere yet her
thougots ran clear, came a new occasion for
prompt work.
Left only a few minutes to themselves, the
natural tendencies Of the children had borne
them away into strife. Johnny, the master
OF discord among them, furgotlu Of the pleas
ant breakfast season, was at his old tricks
again and the sign thereof was passionate
scream. followed by loud accusations from
Lydia.
Mrs. Lawrence sprung to her feet under
the usual angry impulse felt ON these occa-
sions, and with the will to punish in her heart,
strobe across the room, and was in the hall
before thought and memory arrested her steps.
" No-no-no This is not the way. -
And as she said this. she drew both hands
tightly against her breast and stood still for
some moments, the strife between the chill
drcn yet going on Then, with a deliberate
movement. she went up stairs TO the nursery
where the children had gone after leaving the
brcakfast-room. Her usual way of coming
upon them when they were in trouble among
Themselves. was with a loud mperious de-
mand, and hurried execution of punishment
on the one that appeared, at the first glance,
most in fault Nearly always a certain de-
gree of injustice was involved in these pun
ishmeuts and their effects were, in consc-
Quence, evil instead Of good OF this she
was often painfully conscious.
So quietly did Mrs Lawrence now enter
the nursery, that the children were not aware
of her presence until she was half across the
room. suddenly the strife ceased, and john
ny and Lydia, who were in angry contention.
hushed their discord and stood with a rcbuked
shame acedness before their mother, in
marked contrast with their usual air Of dog.
ged defiance or shrinking fear on these un-
happily too frequent occasions.
This is very sad, my children, said Mrs.
Lawrence, with grief instead OF anger in her
voice. And then sitting down among them,
with calmncss and patience went to the READ
cause of trouble, and succeeded i'm gaining
what she had never gained before, a mutual
penitont acknowledgement of wrong, and a
promise to be kinder and moro iorbearing one
towards another
1t would require many pages to give all
the incidents, trials, sei-discipline and self
conquests on that day and they would be
found deeply interesting to every true mother
BY the strength Of genuine love for her chill
dren, into which flowed "a heavenly power,
Mrs. Lawrence kept the balance of her mind;
and when the evening shadows fell again. and
her husband came home, there was sweet
tranquility, order, love and peace iu their
dwelling
How pleasant the children are with one
another said Mr.. Lawrence. in a low voice,
leaning toward his wife, as she sat sewing,
after tea, and glancing at Johnny and LYDIA
who were reading together from the pages Of
the same book
" Yes She answered no further, but. af-
ter looking towards the children a few mo-
ments, with calm, almost serious. yet not
troubled face, let her eyes fall again upon her
sewing. But the eyes of thought were look
ing away down into her own soul. and conn
ing the lessons Of that days experience writ
ten in strong characters.
" on must have discovered a new method
of government said Mr.. Lawrence
The eyes Of his wife were lifted to his face.
." have, was her simple answer.
" Indeed Well, it seems working to
charm. Does it involve any sccrct;'
" No Her eyes, in which light and feel
ing began to play, were still upon bis face.
On what is it founded -
ION seli-goyernment.' Her eyes fingered
in those of her husband for moment, and
then fell down upon her work-Hnecred Just
long enough for him to see tears beginning to
suffuSe them.
Nothing more was said. They understood
each other. But the lesson of that day was
the lesson Of all succeeding days for Mrs.
Lawrence. Many years have passed since
then; and all who know her family consider
it the best ordered, aud her children the best
disciplined, of any within their circle. She
had learned the better way and, learning,
walked therein.