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


kushed quiet rcigncd the house. With feet
that stirred no echoes in silen. mir, Mrs, Law
renee gidcd from the chambers, and return |
cd to the breakfast-room, where her husband |
sat reading. He did not look up from the
page on which his eyes were bent, nor seem
TO observe her entrance.
There was a weight on the heart Of Mrs.
Lawrence as she sat down by her workable
under the gas-light, and took small basket
In her lap--a weight, and also a sense Of re-
lief Her active, restless, noisy, and too Of
ten turbulent and contentious brood were a.
sleep and safe from outward harms for this
a sentiment Of thankfulness lay unspoken on
her lips. But with the stiffness that succeed
cd came troubled memories self-roproaches,
questions as to the right and wrong Of her
own life among her children, doubts, fears,
anxicties.
Not in swcot pence, like the passage Of
summer day, had closed, the twilight hours
in Mrs, Iawrence's home on the evening Of
her introduction TO the reader They had fall
en- in the ram vi passion. Tired. irctted. and
ill-natured, the children met like state in
their mother; and angry authority chafcd n
gainst blind wilfulnoss. SO the day had clos
cd in storm; and now. in the brooding
hush that followed, Mrs Lawrence sat down
with the pressure Of misgiving on her heart
What an | 90 do with these children 2"
The words lcapcd out suddenly, giving Mr.
Lawrence start. He did not. however. let
his eyes fall away from the page he was read
ing, nor, beyond a slight change of position,
intimate consciousness that his wife had
spoken. When the full heart breaks silence,
il does not usually rest in single utterance.
Mrs. Lawrence went on after a brief pause.
am out of all heart with Johnny"
Mir. Lawrence let his book fall, and bis eyes
rest upon the Swallowed countenance of his
wife
"And Lydia is such a trial So frotful and
irritable. Johnny keeps her IN trouble all
day long. You don't know what time
have with them"
Still Mr.. Lawrence did not answer. Not
that he was Indifferent; not that his thought
was on his book, or away from the present.
His thought was with his wife and children,
and on bis mind lay pressure Of concern
But what was it best for him to say That
question porplexed and kept him silent. He
did not wish to blame his wife, and hesitated
on even an intmation that the fault might not
lie at her door. She was very sensitive. and
could not bear to have him say word that
involved disapproval.
What am to do p Mrs. Lawrence look
ed steadily at her husband, and paused as
though expecting to answer you saw how
1t WIS little while ago"
Yes"
Something in the voice of her husband, as
he uttered this single word, chafcd on the
feeling Of Mrs. Lawrence. She was not ig-
n rant Of the fact that she had lost temper
and dealt rather harshly with Johnny before
sending him to bed, and that something in
the voice Of her husband sounded like accusa-
ton or rebuke.
"What am to do ;" she repeated the
question with just touch of asperity in her
tones.
There are two requisites of good govern
ment." said Mr.. Lawrence, raising the book
to his eyes, and affecting to read" self-gov-
ernment and a wise administration With
out the former, the latter is impossible"
He let the book fall into his lap. and look-
cd calmly at his wife. The quick blood was
already mounting to her face. She under
stood him thoroughly.
Z" | wish YOU had the trial of them for
week or two !" Mrs. Lawrence spoke with
considerable sharpness.
" am not DESTROYS Of changing places,
Ruth. answered the husband in calm, sooth-
ing voice. The difficulty of yours fully
understand; and | know that you are filling
it far better than | could. Patience, forbear-
ance, and sell-control are above all things
needed and these are not my special virtues"
- | do the best | can said Mrs Lawrence,
her tones soitoning little but expressing
more encouragement.
Are you certain about that -
The blood, which had commenced rcceding
from the face of Mrs. Lawrence, went flushing
back again. mounting to the very temples.
ayes, am certain" She spoke emphat-
ical, and then shut her lips with close pres
sure.
If we were all doing the best in our pow
err Ruth our lives would be far nearer per-
fiction then they are. Heaven knows my
short comngs are a continual reproach So
take that back my dear, and think it over
little"
There was something so impassioned, and
40 kind in her husbands manner, that the ox-
element in Mrs. Lawrences mind began to
die away; and thought grew clearer in con-
sequence.
81 might do better, | suppose" was her
answer, in a falling tone but no one is per
feet"
"Of course not. II we were perfect, there
would be no occasion for trial and discipline.
But, one thing is certain, we might all come
great deal nearer to perfection than we are
In the habit of doing. Isn't that so :"
Yes The admission came half rcluct-
antly.
- 1t is so in my case said Mr.. Lawrence.
Not day closes in which do not look
back and sigh over short comings. The great
source of all our troubles in life. Ruth. lies
with ourselves l see this more clearly every
day. II | could always be right with myself
If could always possess my soul in calm
ness could deal with events as they touched
me, and rarely experience jar 1t is from
an undue reaction against the circumstances
of life that experienced so many disturb
ances. And as it is with me, so il is with
you and others. This getting right with our
selves is the great achievement"
Mrs. Lawrence dropped her eyes away from
her husbands face, and sat silent for some
time.
Without elf--government," said Mr..
Lawrence, seeing that his wife did not reply.
and wishing to turn her thought exactly into
the true channel, =" it is impossible rightly to
govern others. We must be calm ourselves.
If we wish to produce camuess in other
minds patient, if we would produce patti.
ence lust and discrimination il 400 ,y,uI5