The Hillsborough recorder. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1820-1879, 1862-01-22
THE ILL-TEMpERED FAMILY.


We commend to the consideration Of our
Youthful readers the following simple but
instructive narrative:
"How tiresome you are, boys" said Ma
nv Fletcher to her little brothers, as they
rushed into the room, and against the table
at which she was seated drawing. 81 wish
you would 90 away
"Where are we to 60, Marys John will
not let US play in the dining room. because
he SAYS we disturb him."
40, go anywhere, only do not stay here.
l wish it would leave off raining, and
would go out. the house is so uncomfortable
to-day"
Mary" said Catherine, entering the
room at the moment" can you take my
place in the school room for an hour this
morningf Iwant SO much to 60 out with
mammal"
REALLY cannot, Catherine must fn-
ish this drawing, and am sure am not in
humor to 60 through that everlasting
French grammar"
Then, Mary, you are very selfish and
unkind )" and Catherine, in no better mood
than her sister, left the room, and shut the
door impatientIy behind her.
"Julia was crying when left the school
ROOM" said little Frank to his brother in a
whisper. Catherine is very cross to-
day"
aWhat is Julia crying abouts" said Mrs.
Fletcher, who overheard the children.
81 do NOT know, mamma,-about her
French, | think but she almost always cries
In the morning"
Mrs. Fletcher sighed deeply. She had
been left widow with large family and
though sincere Christian, and most anxious
to guide them Alright, she was, from an en-
tire want Of decision of character, utterly
incompetent to the task. She saw and felt
that there was something radically wrong in
the government of the family /; but where the
error lay she was at loss to imagine. In
seasons of family distress, or in times of
sickness, her children were always kind and
considerate one to another; and in all great
matters they could prove. by self-denying
conduct, that their affection was sincere !;
but when there was no immediate call upon
their sympathy. when the ordinary routine
Of daily life presented no event of sufficient
importance to arouse their better feelings,
they gave way TO petulance and an irrita-
bility Of temper which rendered their home
a scene Of perpetual disquiet. Often had
the anxious mother mourned in secret over
this domestic evil; but the mild yet firm
hand of authority, which alone can check
these noxious weeds Of discomfort, had new
er been put forth in their earlier wears and
with the elder portion OF the family it was
now becoming too late to hope to interfere
with much chance of success. On the pres
ent occasion she did what She had often
done before she rose and left the room, and
sought in the retirement Of her own chamber
thar quiet which seemed denied TO her in
the drawing room.
81 shall 90 and see Aunt Rachel this az
ternoOn," said Mary some hours after the cir
cumstances recorded above. /" am very
glad We have been thrown together at last.
feel as though we should all like her."
IL like the peace and quiet Of her
house." said John; /. she is always so tran
quill"
why, as she lives alone, she cannot
well make noise" said Catherine; but
her house is certainly great contrast to our
own"
Some Of the younger children proposed to
accompany Mary but she declined all com
partnership, and, taking the path through the
fields, she slowly wandered on towards Aunt
Racheps cottage. Many thoughts passed
through her mind and some were accusing
thoughts. for the memory Of the morning
had not faded away. She was Of an affec-
ticnate and ingenious temper, ready to ac-
knowledge her faults, and heartily sorry
when she had given pain to those she loved;
but hitherto this feeling Of compunction had
been suffered to die away in mere emotion,
instead Of arousing her to searching in
quiry after the root and origin Of the evil.
She was now going to visit her Aunt Ra-
chel, with a sort Of undefed idea that she
could help her; for though she was almost
stranger among the young people, her con-
sistent religious conduct, her affectionate
sympathy in all their joys and sorrows, her
uniform cheerfulness and kindly demeanor,
had already won for her their esteem and re-
gard. She welcomed Mary with much az
lection and observing that she was not in
her usual spirits, she so wisely adapted her
conversation, and mingled with il so many
agreeable anecdotes that MARY without