The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1866-03-22
instant; she felt the rcproof keenly; her

ppeaK SeuIiyi luuSou
Il might as we'll speak to the wind; /; am
heard now at the top OF my
voice."
AS her husband did not argue the mat
ter with her, nor say anything that was
calculated to keep up the excitement
under which she was laboring, her feel
ings in little while quoted down, and
her thoughts became active. The words
aspcak gently" were constantly in her
mind, and there was reproving import
in them. On going to bed that night,
she could not sleep for several hours-her
mind, was too busily engaged in reviewing
her conduct to her child. She clearly
nerceivcd that she had too frequently
suffered her mind to get angry and excl
ted, and that she was often annoyed at
triaes, that ought to have been overlooked.
oI am afraid 1 have been unjust to my
child" she sighed, turning over and over
again on her pillow.
X *
aI Will try to do better" she said to
herself, as she arose in the morning, feel
ing little refreshed from sleep. Before
she was ready to leave the room, she heard
Harry's voice calling her from the next
chamber, where he slept. The tones were
fretful; he wanted some attendance, and
was crying out for it in manner that
instantly disturbed the mothers feelings
She was about telling him to be quiet
until she could finish dressing herself,
when the words "spoak gently" seem
whispered in her ear. The effect was
magical-the mothers spirit was sub
dued.
"I will speak gently" she murmured
and went Immediately to Harry, who was
still crying out fretfully.
The boy looked up with surprise; his
eye frightened, and the whole expression
of his face changed in an instant.
~ can't find my stockings mamma," )" he
said
"They are under the bureau" replied
Mrs. Burton, as gently as she had first
spoken.
"Oh yes, 80 they are" chccrfully re
piled Harry; 81 couldn't see them no
where"
"Did you think crying would bring
them ?" This was said with a smile, and
in tone so unlike his mothers that the
child again looked up in her face; with
surprise that was, Mrs. Burton plainly
saw, mingled with pleasure.
"Do you want anything else p she
asked
mo, mamma" he replied chcerfully
l can dress myself now"
The first little effort was crowned with
the most encouraging results to the
mother; she felt deep peace settling in
her bosom-the consciousness of having
gained true victory over the heart Of
her boy: 1t was littlo act but was the
first fruits, and gathering so small a har-
vest was sweet to the soul.
For the first time in many months the
breakfast table was pleasant to all. Ear-
ry never once interrupted the. conversa-
ton that passed botwoon his father and
mother. When he asked for anything,
it was in way pleasing to all. Once or
twice Mrs. Burton found it necessary to
correct some little fault in manners, but
the way in which she did it disturbed not
his temper, and instead ofnot seeming not
to hear her words, as it had almost al
ways been the case, he regarded all that
was said, and tried to do as she wished.
"There is wonderful power in gentle
words" remarked Mr.. Burton to his wife,
after Harry had left the table.
eyes, wonderful, indeed; their effect
surprises me-"
Glove is strong"
$50 it seems-stronger than any other
influence we can bring to bear on q human
being"
Days, weeks, months and years went
by; during all this time the mother con-
tinued to strive earnestly with her child.
The happiost results followed; the fret
full, passionate, dsordcrly boy became
even minded and orderly in his habits.
A word gently spoken was all-powerful
in it's influence for good, but the least
shadow of harshncss would arouse his
stubborn will and deform the fair face Of
his young spirit.
Whenever mothers complain to Mrs.