Mineral Point weekly tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1859-1868, 1865-05-02
THE HiSTY WORD.
A LIFE LES SON.

Away you go; and don't let me see
your face again for n week You are the
torment of my lifer r.
So spoke Mrs Dorrence to her little
daughter, bright-eyed, osy-cheeked girl
of eleven years. She meant nothing out of
the way but she had allowed herself to be
come fretted, and the Earsh ungrateful
words slipped from her tongue without
thought or meaning. The child left the
room. and the mother piled her needle
more vigorously than before
But Mrs. Dorrence was not left alone.
Mrs. Naseby, q cousin of her husband
was there on a visit and had been a spec
tator of the scene which had just passed
And these two women were much alike
They were both true and faithful wives
kind, indulgent mothers, and warm heart
ed, trusty friends. Mrs. Na.eby was
some years the Oldest, and had con-
sequently more of life's experience to
guide and direct her.
For some time after the child had gone,
both women sat and sewed in silence; but
at length Mrs. Nasty spoke;
Maria" said she, addressing her friend
By her most familiar name, "you will par
don me ;f | presume so far upon our
friendship as to speak plain to you
Certainly" replied Mrs. Dorrence,
with slight dropping of the eye, and a
of EIo
You will confess pursued the visitor
''that your arc not so happy as you would
have been if You had spoken kindly and
softly to your sweet little child
But" said Mrs. Dorrence, "you don't
know what poster she can be-"
"That is much as mother pIeases to
make it, Maria. have been here over n
week, and | must say that Lizzie has ap-
peared TO me to be one of the best child
ren ever knew Am | not right?'
Yes, yes, Matilda; you are right But
still, she sometimes plaques me dread
fully
"And then" said Mrs Nasebv, soften~
ing her remark beneath n kindly smile,
you lose your patience. and set your
child an example which must influence
her for evil in the time to come"
weren't you even impatient with your
children2i asked Mrs Dorrence
al used to be; but I think I am not
now" answered Mrs. Naseby Z" | will
tell you a story Of my experience" she
continued, folding her work and laying it
upon the table by her side. Y gu re-
member our little cottage hv the sea-shore,
where we rsed to live before my husband
went into business in the city. My oldest
son, Clarence, was then thirteen years of
age-a bold, fearless, noble hearted boy,
who never knew what il was to be cruel,
and who was the pet and pride OF his
Friends. both old nnd young. Still used
to think that he sometimes bothered ne,
When he was at home from school his
wants were so many, and his persistence
in claiming bis privileges so determined,
that often allowed myself TO speak very
harshlv and unkindly to him; and though
the hastv words always fell upon my own
heart with pain and modification, still
vas slow to break myself Of the imp cas-
ant habit
One day, while was engaged 1T bnk-
ING. Clarence came in and asked me for
some cake Ny hands were covered with
dough, and | FOLD him gbnt | could not get
it for him. He then asked me If he might
not get some himself | answered him
quite sharply Mo- The feeling mani
fest in nv quick. short answer called up
a corresponding fee in,g in his bosom, and
he did not attempt to hide it. He rep led
to me. and then spoke more harshly thar
before. lie finally tod me that if l did
not give him the cake he would take one
Of his fathers boats and 20 out into the
harbor. Two of his schoolmates he said
were going with him had suffered my
self by this time to get entirely out o
patience, and spoke words which even
now make me shuider when recall them
to mind l told him to 20 and I also told
him that | did not care if he never came
hack. OF course | meant nothing The
words were the fungi of my heated blood
heated partly by work and partly b.
contact with the strong character Of m!
son.
III, went away and after he was gone
was sorry that had spoken to him rs
had stopped in my work, and wishes
that had not spoken those words. As
stood there alone, called to mind tn
frzt-born of nv love- remembered tn
smile of nv curiv-haired boy I remem
bered his warm kisses. ani MS ringint
F. lauCh-his soft, warm arms about N
re,I e-s r.. Dear res--r-s .. tcw