The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1861-09-04
JOHN AND AGNES.

all has might U dear u dear. u hurts
sos"
And the child pressed her hand against
her cheek, and threw her head backward and
forward as il she were in great pain.
The lady's face reddeued instantly, and
the book fell IRON her hand to the floor.
Starting up. she went hurriedly from the
room. There was anger in her heart against
John, and 10 the blindness Of her sudden in |
dignation. she resolved to punish him with |
severe chastisement. But ere she reached
the apartment in which her child had been
playing. she paused Suddenly, aud stood
still. A timely thought glanced through her
mind, and arrested her steps.
That viii not do. must control my.
self" she said. speaking haif-aloud. Then
after resolu,e strife with her angry feelings,
the mother went back to the room where
she had left her weeping child. and sitting
down in her old place. said, with as calm
and steady voice as she could assume:
Agnes, let me see your cheek"
90 dear, How il hurts" sebbed Agnes,
as she came to her mothers side, her hand
still pressed 10 her face.
The lady gently removed her hand. and
examined her little girls cheek. There
was a red mark as il blow had been re-
ceived ; bat no evidence Of bruse.
Agnes" said the mother, now speaking
very calmly and gently, yet with firmness
that at once subdBed the excitement Of her
child's mind, 81 want yoa to stop crying,
and tell nae all about this trouble with
John"
The child's tears ceased to flow; and she
fank aH IN s..tn h.. osha f.
Agnes. who gave the provocation in
this matter, you or John J"
"yohn struck me in the face" replied the
child. evincing great deal Of angry feeling
towards her brother.
why did he strike you ."
Agnes was silent.
Who saw The trouble between you and
John !" inquired the mother.
Why. Mary saw it. She'll tell you that
John struck me in the. face with all his
might
Tell MARY that wish to see her"
Agnes went for her sister, When they
returned the mother said
Now, Mary. tell me about this trouble
with John and Agnes"
You saw him strike ne. didnt you, Ma
ryf" said Agnes, with the eagerness Of re-
sentiment.
"I will question Mary" said the mother.
"and while am dong so. you, Agaes, must
have nothing TO say. After Mary has 6n.
ished then yeu can correct her statement, il
you wish to do so. Now, Mary, say o."
"Well. mother. I'll tell you just how il
was" said Mary. "Agnes was teasing
JohA. and Isha got angry"
"And struck his sister" There was
tone Of severity in the mothers voice.
81 think the blow was accidental" said
Mary. John declared that it was, and
tried bis best TO comfort Agnes even pro-
missing to give her his pet kitten. il she
would stop crying, and not make trouble BY
telling you. Bat she was angry. and would
not listen to him."
Tell me just what occurred, Mary, and
then shall know exactly how far both we're
20 blame"
WE'LL" answered Mary, "John and |
were playing checkers, and Agnes would,
every now aud then, steal up behind John,
and push his elbow when he was making
move. II worried him. aud he ask her over
and ever again not TO do so. But she didn't
mind shat he said. At last John pushed
the board from him, and wouldn't play any
longer. He vas angry. Still Agnes seemed
bent on annoying him. John got book
and sat near the window TO read. He had
net been there long before Agnes stole up
bekind hin. whipped the book out Of his
hand, and ran away. John sprang alter her,
and they had q struggle for the book, in
which Agnes got blow upon the face. |
was locking al them. and think the blow
was accidental. II seemed so at the time,
and Isha declares that he did not mean To-
strike her. That Is all, mother"
"Call year brother" said the lady. in q
subdaed voice. John entered the room in
q lev moments. He was pale, and looked
uoubled.
MY son., said the mother, speaking
without apparent excitement. yet with !
tonrh u sorrow 10 her voice, did yos
strike Agnes on purpose y
The boy's lips quivered. but no answer
cane through thea. lie looked into his
mothers ewes for . moment or two. until
tears blinded him. and then be laid has face
doua spoa her bosom and sobbed. With
loves tender iastinet. the mother drew her
arm tightly srosnI her boy. and then there
vss silence toe the space Of aeariy a minute.
/" Il vas 40 accident. am SURE" whisper
ed the mother. placing her lips close to the
ear Of her bsy.
sIndeed Il vas !" Ioha answered back
With earaesiaess. MY hand slipped as
tried TO get nv book away from her, and il
strsek her IL the face. Twas 50 sorry"
What lees eoald ths mother DO han kiss
with srdos. The fair brow Of her boy, against
whom. snder The inaseace Of anger. she had
passed hssty judgment. She almost shsd
dered a. she thoughl Of the snjust punish
meat he hsd come nigh iaaicling while
blisd IRON sudden s-cilement.
uss." sad TIE lady, farming with seme g.
verify II vslee and cosnteasDce towards
her little girl. who Dew stood With the as
poet d eslput instead % 40 aeeoser.