Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1865-12-15
MisefIl anfous.
A FATHERS LESSON.
A STORY PROM ACTUAL LIFE.


exclaimed John Doring to his son William,
young lad Of twelve years. "Take that 7"
he added, striking the boy heavy blow on
the side OF the head and that, and that |"
repeating the blows as he spoke, the last Of
which knocked the boy over pillow that was
standing by his side. " Get up now, and 90
into the house," continued the father, /" and
see II you can't keep out of mischief for
while, and stop that crying, or III give you
something to cry for ~
The boy started for the house, struggling
to suppress bis sobs as be went.
ut is astonishing" said Doring, address
ing neighbor named Hanford, who was near
In the barn, and OF course had seen and heard
all that had passed, show troublesome boys
are. Just see those Gate that I've got
to pick up for that boys csrelessuess," and
he pointed to q measure of oats which Will
liam had accidentally overturned.
And was 1t for that trifie that you assault
ed your child and knocked him down :" re-
piled Mr.. Hanford in q sorrowful tone.
Doring looked from the oats in surprise,
and repeated
ASSAULTED my child and knocked him
down why. what do you mean. neighbor
Hanford :"
Just what say. Did you not knock the
child over the plowi"
"Why--wsll-no. He kind a stumbled
and fell over it." dregedly replied Doring.
= Do you go against parental authority,
Haven't right to punish my own chill
dren :"
Certainly yon have" responded Mr.. Ham
lord, F" IN proper manner and in a proper
spirit, but not otherwise. Do you think that
father has a right to revenge himself upon
his child ~ 3Ds
"ofcourse not; bnt who was talking about
revengei"
swell, friend Doring, let me ask you an
other question: for what purpose should a
child be punished?"
Why, to make it better, and do 1t good,
Of course quickly answered Doring.
For any other purpose p quietly asked
Mr. Hanford.
Well, no, not that can think of Just
now,' replied Doring, thoughtfully.
And now, my friend" kindly continued
Mr.. Hanford, do you suppose your treat
ment to your son few moments ago did him
any good, or has increased his respect and af-
lection for yous The boy, venture to say,
Is utterly unconscious of having done any
wrong, and yet you suddenly assaulted him
with anger and violently, and gave him beat
ing which no penitentiary convict can be sub
ject to without having the outrage inquired
into BY legislative committee. Blu, let me
tell you story. You know my son Charlie p
"The one that is preaching in Chsrlestowni"
Yes; you have probably noticed that he
have noticed it," said Dorine, 81 and
asked him how 1t happened, and he told me
he got hurt when Q boy" EI
"Ycs," responded Mr.. Hanford with emo
ton, :" the dear boy never could be made to
say that It was occasioned by his fathers bru-
tality. But listsn," he continued, az he ..v
that Doring was about to speak. .,rr 'al
When Charles was about the same ACE
ofyour son William he was one of the most
active and intelligent boys had ever seen.
! was fond Of him, and especially of his phys
icsl beauty and powers. But unfortunately
] was cursed with an irritable and violent
temper, and was in the habit of Furnishing my
children under the influence of passion aud
vengeance, instead Of from the dictates Of rea-
son, duty, and enlightened affection. lss.
One day Charles offended me BY some boy
ish and irifing misdemeanor, and / treated
him almost exactly as you treated your son
lew minutes ago. struck him violently, and
he fell upon pile of stones at his side. and
injured his left side so badly tina, the result,
was, he was crippled for life," said Mr.. Han
ford in tones of deepest sorrow and remorss,
and covering his face with his hands.
"A period OF oppressive silence followed,
which was at last broken by Mr.. Hanford
saying:
When found that my boy did not rise
nom the stones on which he had fallen. I
seized him BY the arm and rudely pulled him
to his feet. and was about to strike him again.
when something that saw in his face his
look. arrested my arm, and saked him II he
was hurt.
81 am afraid that am. pa" he mildly an
swered, clinging to my arm for support.
where" asked in great alarm, for not
withstanding my brutality l fairly idolized the
boy.
Here" he replied. laying his hand upon
his hip.
In silence i took him in my arms and car
Eied him to his bed, from which no never
arose the same bright, active, glorious boy
that had go cruelty struck down on that pile
Of stones But after many months he came
forth. pale, ssddened little fellow, hobbling
on q crutoh
Here MIR. Hanford broke down and wep,
hike child, and the tears Also rolled down
Doring's cheeks. When he resumed Mr..
Hanford said;
This Is humiliating narrative, neishbor
Doring. and would not have related it to
you had not supposed that you needed the
Lesson which II contains. 1t is impossible
Tor me to give you any adequate notion of the
suffering that have undergone on account Of
ny brutal rsshnsss 10 my boy. But fortu-
ns,sly y has been ovsrruled to my own good,
and to that Of my family slso. The remedy,
though tsrrtbls, vas complete. and no other
child Of mine has ever been punished by me