The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1865-10-20
a Story from Real Life.
FOR FATHERS AND MOTHERS TO REAI

-
FOR FATHERS AND MOTHERS TO READ
What do you mean by such careless
ness" exclaimed John Doring to his sol
William, young had of twelve years
Take that" he added, striking the boy
a heavy blow on the side of the head
land that, and that" repeating the blow:
as he spoke. the last of which knocked tht
boy over a plow that was standing 10y hi,
side. "Get up now and go into the
house." continued the father. land see il
YOU can't keep ont of mischief for while,
and stop that crying or I'll give you some
thing to cry for"
/ The boy started for the house. strlg-
Cling TO suppress his SobS as he went.
{" 1t Is astonishing - said Dorins, ad-
dressing neighbor named Hanford. who
was near In barn. and. of course. had
seen and heard all that had passed. =. how
troublesome boys are. ,Iut see those oats
now that I've got to pick up for that boy
careles~neSS. and he pointed to measure
of oats which William had accidentally
overturned.
:. And it was for that trifle that YOU as.
~aultci your child and Knocked hin
down p replied Mr.. llanfori, in sor-
rowtIl tone
7 Doring looked from the oats in surprise
and repeated: Assaulted INV child an,
knocked him down, Why. what do yor
mean, ncighbor Han'lforl =
".Iust what / say Dill you not knock
the child over the plow! -
"Why-well-no. He kind o STUN.
bled and fell over it, doggedly replied
Dorimg- DO you 90 against parental
authority Haven't l right TO punisl
my own children -
Certainly YOU have" responded Mr.
lIaniori, " in a proper manner. and in 6
proper spirit, but not otherwise. Do ror
think that 4 father has a right 10 reyeng,
himself upon his child -
"Of course not: but who's talking
about revenge p
"Wcll. friend Doring. lie; me ask ror
another question: for what purpose should
a child bc punished !'
"Whv, TO make ii better. and to DO il
good. Of course" quickly answered Do
ring.
:" For any other!" quietly asked Han
. ford.
- Well. no. not that can think of ju>r
now." replied Doriilg. thoughtfnlly.
And now. my friend kindly con
tinued Mr.. HIantori. do You srlppos,
your treatment to your son few moment.
ago did him any good, or has increased hi.
respect and affection for You? The boy
| venture to say, Is utterly unconscious o
having done any wrong, and yet YOU sud
denly assaulted him with anger and yiu
lence, and gave him beating which N,
pcnitentilry convict can he subject TO with
out having the outrage inquired into by ;
legislative committee. But let me tell voi
Il long story. You know INV son Charles ?
'The one that Is preaching in Charles
tlwn. ,"
"IeS; YOU have probably noticed tha
he iS lame !''
Il have noticed it" said Doring, .'ant
asked him how it happened, and he tol,
me he got hurt when a boy
Yes" responded Mr.. IIanfori witt
emotion, ''the dear boy could never b
made to say that it was 10y his father.
brutality. But listen." he continued. a
he saw Doring was about to speak.
When Charles was about the ace O
your son William. he was one of the mos
active and intelligent boys L had eve
seen. l was fond of him, and especiall,
of his physical beauty and progress. Blu
unfortunately | was cursed wah an irrita
ble and Violent temper, and was in tn
habit of Furnishing my children under tn
influence OF passion and vengeance. in
stead OF from the dictates of reason. duty
;nd enlightened affection. One da,
Charles offended me by some boyiSh an,
trItilng mlsdcmeanor. and | treated hin
almost exactly as YOU treated your son /;
} few minutes ago, struck him violently
and he fell upon pile Of stones at hi
si,ie, and injured his left side 80 badly tia
the result was he WAS crippled for life,
said Mr. Hanford, in tones of deepest sor
: row and remorse, and covering his fac
, with his hands
A period of oppressive silence followed
) which was at last broken 10y Mr.. Hanfor,
, saying =
"When | found that my boy did no
. rise from the stones on which he had fall
en-, seized him by the arm and rudel,
: pulled hun to his feet, and was about Z,