Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1865-04-05
THE TWO TOMS,
OR, HOW TO MANAGE CHILDREN.

Tom, herep' said father to his boy
speaking In tones of authority. The lad
was at play. He looked towards his father,
but did not leave his companions.
DO you hear me, sir p spoke the father,
more sternly than at first With an unhap-
Ply face and reluctant step the boy left his
play and approached his parent.
by do you creep along at snail
pace said the father, angrily ''Come
quickly. L want you; when [ speak | like
to be obeyed instantly. Here, take this note
to MIR; Smith, and see that you don go to
sleep by the way. Now run as fast as you
can go; The boy took the note; there was
a cloud upon his brow He moved onward,
but at slow pace.
You, Tom is that doing as [ ordered L?
Is that going quickly?'' called the father,
when he saw the boy creeping away IF
you are not back in half an hour | will pun
lsh you. But the words had little effect.
The boys feelings were hurt by the unkind-
ness OF the parent he experienced sense
OF injustice, conclousness that wrong had
been done him. By nature he was like his
father, proud and stubborn; and these quail
ltles OF his mind We're aroused, and he in
dulgedln them, fearless of consequences.
Il never saw such boy" said the faith
er, speaking to friend who had observed
the occurrence. My words scarcely make
an impression on him. -
Kind words often prove most powerful, P"
said the friend. The father looked surpris-
ed. kind words, continued the friend,
are like the gentle rain and the refreshing
dews; but harsh words bend and break like
the angry tempest. They first develop and
strengthen good affections, while the others
sweep over the heart in devastation, and
mar and deform all they touch. Try him
with kind words, they will prove hundred
fold more powerful. -
The parent seemed hurt by the reproof,
but it left him thoughtful. An hour passed
away ere his boy returned. At times du-
ring his absence he was angry at the delay
but the words Of remonstrance were in his
ears, and he resolved to obey them. At last
the lad came slowly in, with a cloudy coun-
tenance, and reported the result of his er-
rand. Having stayed far beyond his time
he looked for punishment, and was prepar-
ed to receive it with an angry defiance To
his surprise after delivering the message he
had brought, his father, instead of angry re-
proof and punishment, said kindly: ''Very
well, my son, you can go out to play a.
gain.
The boy went out, but was not happy.
lie had dlsobeyed and disobliged his father,
and the thoughtof this troubled him. Harsh
words had not clouded his mind nor aroused
spirit OF reckless anger. Instead of joining
his companions. he went and sat down by
himself, grieved over his act of di-obedience.
While he thus sat he heard his name called
Thomas, my son, said his father, kind
ly. The boy sprang to hisfeet, and was soon
beside his parent.
Did you call, father p
Il did, my son.. VIII you take this pack
age to Mr.. Long for me p
There was no hesitation in the boy S man
ner; he looked much pleased at the thought
of doing his father a service, and reached
out his hand for the package. On receiv-
ing it he bounded away with light step.
There IS power in kindness, said the
father, as he sat musing after the lads de-
parture. And even while he sat musing o.
yer the incident, the boy came back with
cheerful, happy face, and said: Can do
any thing else for you, father?''
Yes, there Is power IN kindness. The
tempest of passion can only subdue, constrain
and break but in love and sgentlenes there
is the power of the summer rain, the dew,
and the sunshine
Tom is on trial Tom at school gets
through the geography by boring hole |
through the middle. That is his royal road |
to learning, or rather past it. He holds |
the smaller boys up by the heels, and stands |
them on their heads He melts up all the |
nkstands into bullets He plays truant, |
gets into trouble, and when he can lies his |
way out. When the teacher tries to correct |
him he kicks her and bites her alternately.
This is Tom at school. He lounges the
streets, insults passengers, and goes down
md stones the school house windows This
l. L. L
pleasure excursions, such as stealing pears,
peaches, apples and melons. This is Tom
IN a farm
The other day Tom 5 father called upon
he school committee, looking much like an
INJURED and prosecuted man. Mark this:
f boy lies worse than Ananias and Sap
ohira, especilly if it be about school, his
mother will believe every word Of it. And
his mother believes it, Of course his father
will. SO in comes Mr.. Skinner, the injur-
ID father.
My son has been turned out of school,
;ir. .
''For what?''
Nothing in the world but missing a
yord"
'Indeedl' How did you ascertain
hat ?''
He says so, and all the other children say
o.
''All the other children were two or
hree smaller ones, who had to be Toms
choes under penalty of standing inverted.
Now, Skinner, know a little of Tom s
probabilities. | was in the
chool two or three days ago, and he didn't
pell but one word right and that one he
.uessed at He wont study, and he seldom
nswers a question rightly, except by accl-
lent
''Why, sir, he says he's got through most
f his books
''Yes, sir, he gets through his books as a