, 1861-05-02
into the Sunshine


and the face that looked up was sad.
"YOur father will be very angry" said an aunt,
who was sitting in the room with book in her
hand. The boy raised himself from the sofa,
where he had been lying in tears for half an hour,
and with touch Of Indignation in his voice, an
swered:
"He will be sorry, not angry. Father never
gets angry"
For few moments the aunt looked at the boy
half curously, and let her eye fall again upon the
book that was in her hand. The boy again laid
himself down upon the sofa, and hid his face from
sight.
That's father, nowr He started up after the
lapse Of nearly ten minutes as the sound Of q bell
reached his ears and he went to the room door,
He stood there little while, and then came slowly
back saying, with disappointed air:
alt isn't father. wonder what keeps him so
late? Oh, l wish he would come"
"You seem anxious to get deeper into trouble"
remarked the aunt, who had only been in the house
for week, and who was neither very amiable nor
very sympathizing toward children. The boys
fault provoked her, and she considered him q fit
subject for punishment.
II believe, aunt Phebe, that you would like to
see me whipped" said the boy, little warmly !;
e but you won't"
al must confess" replied aunt Phebe, " that
little wholesome discipline Of the kind you speak
Of would not be out Of place. II you were my
child, am sure you would not escape"
Il am not your child; do not wish to be.
Father is good, and he loves me-" ...
IF your father is good and loves you so wel
you must be very ungrateiul. or a very incOnsid-
crate boy. His goodness docs not seem to have
helped you much" --.--a---
Hush, will you ~ calculated the boy, excited
to anger by this unkindness Of speech.
"Pheber 1t was the boys mother who spoke
now for the first time. In an undertone she added,
&" You are wrong. Richard is suffering quite
enough, and you are doing him harm rather than
good"
Again the door bell rang, and again the boy
left the sofa and went to the sitting room door.
ut is fatherr' said he, and he went gliding
down stairs.
"Ah Richardr' was the kindly greeting. as Mr..
| Gordon took the hand Of his boy. " But what Is
the matter, my son? you do not look happy"
wont you come IN here?' and Richard drew
his father into the library. Mr.. Gordon sat down,
still holding Richards hand. ..a.
"You are in trouble, my son. What has hap
pened!" ... - :
The eyes of Richard filed with tears as he
looked up into his iather's face. He tried to an
swer. but his lips Quivered. Then he turned away,
and opening the door Of a cabinet, brought out
the fragments Of broken statuette which had
been sent home only the day before, and set them
on tab.e before bis father, over whose counter
ance came instantly q shadow Of regret
"WhO did this, my son r. was asked in an even
voice. .s E.
IL did it." 49,. ...... T..
"HOw!" ...... ....
al threw my ball in there, Once-Only once, in
forgetfulness." ... ~. 5.... =. ...
The poor boys tones were husky and tremu-
lous. ........ ....
A little while Mr.. Gordon sat controlling him
self and collecting his disturbed thoughts. Then
he said, cheerfully .. ..ss -ug
"What is done, Richard cannot be helped.
Put the broken pieces away. You have. had
trouble enough about IL, can see, and reproof
enough for your thougbtlessness so shall not add
a word to increase your pain" FH h.- 70.
"Oh, father ~ and the boy threw his arms about
his fathers neck, you are so kind-so good r.
Five minutes later, and Richard entered the
sitting room with his father. Aunt Phebe looked
up for two Swallowed iaces, but did not see them:
She was puzzled. a0s
That was very unfortunate" she said little
while after Mr.. Gordon came in. q 1t was such
an exquisite work Of art 1t is hOpelessly ruined"
Richard was leaning against bis father when
bis aunt said this.
Mr.. Gordon only smiled, and drew his arm closer
around his boy. Mrs Gordon castupon her sister
a look Of warning, but Il was unheeded. l.---
~ think Richard was very naughty boy"
1--WE have settled that, Phebe," was The mild
but firm answer Of Mr.. Gordon; and it Is one
Of our rules to get into sunshine as quickly as
possible" ,........ -'...... -.
Phebe was rebuked, while Richard looked
grateful, and, It may be, little triumphant; for
his aunt had borne down upon him rather too
hard for boys patience to endure.
Into the sunshine as quickly as possible! Oh,
is not that the better philosophy for our homes