The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1862-10-10
A Moment Of Passion.
BY 7. 9. ARTHUR.

lub story, OF something IKE ", mas beon
told before. but wo wish TO tell il 10 our own
way. Aud the lesson it teaches will boar
many repottions.
Mr.. Ellis was q man OF kind and tender
feelings, but quick tempered and impulsiye.
lilo had son, ten years old, a bright. hand
some, generous hearted boy, who inherited
his fathers impulsivc character. A quick
tempered father and thoughtless, inpul.
sivo boy are apt to got into a sharp collision
at times, and /: was so with Mr.. Ellis and
his little son. The fathers commands wero
not always obeyed and as tho father had
some strict notions 10 regard to obedience
punishments Jared amid the household
harmonies rathOr more frequently than awisc
regard TO justice and humanity would have
approved. Tho hasty temper and foregono
conclusions OF Mr.. Ellis made his discipline
ottener cruel than rof oformaiory. A single
instance will illustrate our meaning; and
| that is the story We wish to relate.
1t was pleasant summer afternoon. and
Willie Ellis came out from his motber's
hands clad all in white linun, and looking az
sweet and pure as innocence itself. Tho
! house stood only a short distance from a
river. on the banks of which tho boy was
fond of sporting, and IN the ooze Of which
no sometimes soiled bis garmcu,s in u sad
way. much to tho discomfort Of himself aud
his mother.
Willie, said Mr., Ellis, as the boy passed
out, where are you going:
Only to play. answered the roguish mouth.
To play-where
With Eddie Wheeler, down at his house.
Did your mother say you might 90 thore:
Yea sir.
Very we'll all right then. But, mind one
th!ng--you are not to 60 down to the river
Yesterday you came homo with your clothe,
soied aud wot. won't have that again
So, remember. that I've said-don't 90 te
the river.
Not if Mr.. Wheeler lots Eddie 90
There was half pleading look in .h,
young, bright face.
No, was the imperative answer; I've sale
don't go to tho river, aud if you disobey mt
I'll punish you severely.
WiIle's stop had lost somo of It's airy
lightness when ho moved on agaiu.
Mind that you don't forgot called the
father aftor him.
The boy heard but did not look back o,
make any response, which little ANNOYED
Nr. Ellis, who had grown very sensitive OF
tho score of strict obedience.
Ii wouldn't at all surprises mo, no said tC
himself, if he wcro to come home in an houI
all covered with river mud. He rs &c
thoug htless, or self willcd-I hardly know
which. But children must be mado to obey.
That's the discipline to enforce, at all haz
ards II; and If he disobeys mo this timo, he
will havo cause TO remember it as long as be
lives.
Something had gone wrong with Mr.. Ellis
and he was in sterner mood than usual
Moods of mind, rather than sense of Justice
oflenbst influence our conduct with r.fcr
ence to others. Wo act from state of feol
ing moro frequently than from considera
tlons of right
Mr.. Ellis went away from home soon after
and reutured in an hour. As no stood al
tho door, and glanced around for a momen,
before entering, ho saw Willie in q shocking
plight. wot and soIed from bead to foot
s!ink through the garden gate. Tho boy
had noticed him, and wal ondeavoring to
got into the house without being seen. But
at the door whero he hoped to enter umob
served, no encountered stern and angry
face A few quick strides had brought BIZ
father there.
So YOU have been to the river, after al
that | said.
The boy lifted pale face and frightened
eyes.
Didn't tell you not to 90 to the river
A vicelike grip was already on his sof
littlo arm.
Yes sir. came through the quivcaing lips
Add you wont for all5
But, fathor-
Not word, sir l tod you no, to 20 t.
the rivor. didn't l
Eide Wheeler-Tho poor child ,riet
to exclaim.
don't want 10 hear about Eddie Wheeler
| He cant excuse disobedience. Come, sir
we'll settle this business and he dragged
the white faced boy after him, up stairs, t.
the garret, and taking down rod, swung il
in tho air above his head.
Oh, father Don't Let me toll you
A look, almost like despair, was in thu
boys face. Mr.. Ellis remembers it to thi
day; and will remember il to the day Of hil
death.
don't wish to hoar any excuse, was ro
piled. as the rod camo down upon the shrink
ing child, with a stroke that made every
nerve quIvor with pain.
Oh, fathor
Onco more the mild, appealing look, 81
ful! Of agony, was lifted TO tho storm fac,
above him, but lifted in vain. A secont
cruel stroke fell and then rain of strokes
until tho fathers sense of pity. intruding bo
tween anger and unforgiving justice, stayed
his arm. Ne wont down stairs, and left tn
boy lying in the midGle of the floor, as h.
had dropped from his hand-mOtionloss q
If lite wore extinct. He had met the pale
suffering mother below, she had loved tn,
boy tenderly. and had felt overy smartlnI
blow, but he passed her without word
She had seen Willie as he encountered hi
father at tho door, and understood tn
meaning of this heavy punishment. Mr.
Ellis went out into tho porch to breathe tn
freer air, and cool the sudden excitemen
under which he had beon iaboring. AS b
shut the door behind him, in kind OF In
stinctive effort to separate bimself from
painful scene. he stood face to face with MI
Wheeler. A hand grasped bis in quick
strong pressure.
It was brave act, cir He's noble boy
Where 10 ho :
don't understand you, said Mr.. ElliI
looking bowildered.
Didn't no tell you?
Tell me wnat
How ho spraug into the river and save
my little Eddis's life
heard nothing Of II.
There was q choking sensation 10 M
Ellls's throat--his voice was faint and husky
Aud he didn't tell you Brave, nobl
boy He oAme over TO play With Eddie
and Eddie wanted to 60 down to the rive
but Willie said he couldn't 60 to the river
| A.