The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1865-10-12
a Fathers Lesson.
A STORY FROM ACTUAL LIFE.

neaVy DlOW on the Slue or the nead
, "and that and that p repeating tn
E blows as he spoke, the last of whicl
E knocked the boy over plow that wa
standing by his side. ''Get up nov
and go into the house," continued tn,
father, "and see if you can't keep out Of
mischief for while, and stop that crying
or I'll give you something to cry for.
/ The boy started for the house, struggl
ing to suppress his sobs as he went.
at is astonishing" said Doran, addres
sing neighbor named George Hanford
who was standing neaf BY, and of course
had seen and heard what had passed,
chow troublesome boys are. Just see
these oats now that I've got to pick up from
that boys carelessness," and he pointed
to measure Of oats which William had
accidently overturned.
"And it was for that trife that you as
saulted your child and knocked him
down !" replied Hanford in a sorrowful
tone.
Doran looked up from the oats in sur
prise and repeated:
/ "Assaulted my child and knocked him
down Why, what do you mean, neigh
Dor Hanford ?"
"Just what | said. Did you not knock
the child over that plow ?"
"Why-well DO He kind of stumbled
and fell over it," doggedly replied Doran.
"Do you go against parental authority !?
Haven't | a right to punish my own child
rem ?"
Certainly, you have" responded Mr..
Hanford, Sin proper manner and is
proper spirit, but not otherwise. Do you
think that father has a right to revenge
himself upon his child ?"
''Gf course not; but who is talking about
revenge p
"Well, friend Doran, let me ask you
another question For what should child
be punished %
"Why, to make it better, and do it
good, Of course quickly answered Do
ran.
For any other purposes ?" quietly ask
ed Mr.. Hanford
'Well, no, not that | can think Of just
now" replied Doran thoughtfully.
''And now, my friend,' kindly con-
tinued MIR. Hanford, "do you suppose
that your treatment to your son a few
moments ago did him any good, or has
increased his respect and affection for
you? The boy, venture to say, is ut
terly unconscious Of having done any
wrong, and yet you suddenly assaulted him
with anger and violence, and gave him
beating which no penitentiary convict
can be subject to without having the out
rage inquired into by legislative COM
mittee But let me tell you a story. You
know my son Charles p
'The one that is preaching in Charles
town 2"
"Yes."
"You have probably noticed that he is
lame p
II have noticed it." said Doran, "and
once asked him how it happened, and he
told me he got hurt when boy"
"Yes," responded Mr.. Hanford, with
emotion, ''the dear boy never could be
made to say that it was occasioned by his
fathers brutality. But listen," he con-
tinued, as he sew that Doran was about
to speak.
"When Charles vas just about the age
Of your son William, he was one of the
most active and intelligent boys l had
ever seen. l was fond of him, and espe-
cially proud of his physical beauty and
prowess. But unfortunately, was cur
sed with an irritable and violent temper,
and was in the habit of furnishing my
children under the impulse ofpasslon and
vengeance, instead of from the dictates
of reason, dsty and enlightened affection.
Gone day Charley offended me by some
boyish and trifllng misdemeanor and |
treated him almost exactly as you treated
your son only few minutes ago.
struck him violently, and he Tell upon
pile of stones by his side, and injured his
hip so badly the result vas he was Grip
pied for life" said Mr.. Hanford IN tones
ering his face with his hands.
A period Of oppressive silence followed,