Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1866-03-18
SPEAK Gently.

the harmony OF knelr homes. cnIillUE the
affection Of their husbands, and alienat-
ing OF hardening the hearts Of their chill.
dren
am certainly at loss 10 know
what 10 do with the bow" said Mrs Bur
ton to her husband, with much concern
on her face, and in an anxious tone Oi
voice. " never yield 10 his imperiou-
temper: / never indulge him in any
thing; | think about him and care about
him all the time, but see no good It
suits"
While Mrs. Burton was speaking, a
bright, active boy, eight years of age,
came daShing into therOom aud without
needing any one, commenced beating on
the window sills and making a deafening
noise.
"Incorrigible boy!' exclaimed his
mother, going quickly mp 10 him and
jerking the stick ont Of his hands. 'Cau
I learn youneither manners nor decency2
! have told YOU a hundred times that
when YOU come into a rosm where any
one is sitting, you must be quiet. Go up
stairs this moment, and don't let me see
your face for an hour"
The boy became sulky for a moment,
and stood where he was, pOuting sadly.
"Did you hear what j said ? Go up
stairs this moment
Mrs. Burton spoke in a very angr-
tone, and looked quite as angry as she
spoke.
Slowly the boy moved toward the
door, a scowl darkeniug his face, that
was but moment before so bright and
cheerful. His steps were too deliberate
for the over excited feelings OF his
mother; she sprang toward him, and
seiZiHg him 10y the arm, pushed him
Ill. q Il
after him.
'I declare I am all out Of heart ~ she
exclaimed, sinking down upon chair.
&" 1t is line upon line and preeept upon
precept, and all to no good purpose. The
boy wiz break my heart yeti'
Mr.. Burton said nothing, but be
saw plainly enough that il was not all
the child's fault. He doubted the Use Of
coming out and saying this unequivo-
callv, although he had often been on the
point Of doing 50 Involuntary He
knew the temper Of his wife so well, and
her peculiar sensitiveuess about every
thing that looked like charging any
iault upon herself, that he feared that
more harm than good would result from
any attempt on his part b. show her that
she was more than half to blame for the
bows perverseness Of temper. Once or
the door, but he wss driven back with
her harsh words until the hour for tea
arrived. The sound of the tea bell
caused an instant Oblivion Of all the dis
agreeable impressions made upon his
mind His little feet answered the wei
come summons with q clatter that
stunned the ears Of his mother.
" Go back, SIR She sand sterniy, as he
burst open the dining room door and set
il swining, with loud conclusion against
the wall, "and see if you can't walk
more like q boy than ahorse.n
Master Henry Withdrew, pOuting out
his lips 10 the distance Of fun an inch. /
He went up the first flight Of stairs, and
then returned.
"Go up to the third story where you
started from, and come down quietly all
the way, or you shall not have a mouth
ful Of supper
8" ] don't want to-" whined the boy.
90 Go up, tell you, this instant, or I |
will send you to bed without anything to I.
eat.n
This was a threat that former expert /
ence had taught might be expected, and .
50 he deemed il better 10 submit. than 10 |
pay too dearly for having his own way.
The distance to the third story was made I
in a few light springs, and then he came I
pattering down as lightly, and took his |
place at the table quickly but quietly.
"There, there, not 50 fast; you've got |
plenty TO eat, and time enough 10 eat il
in. -
Harry settled himself down to the Ia
ble a. quietly as his mercurial spirits 4
would allow, and tried to wait uHtil lac F.
was helped, but in spite Of his efforts 30 I
DO 50, his hand went over into the bread /.
d T. nfl q
him % drop the slice he had lifted IL /
was not a look in which there was much /
affection. While waiting 10 be helped, |
his hands were busy with his knife and /
fork making a most unpleasant CHATTER. I
Put yOur hands down! " harshly .
spoken, remedied this evil or rather sent |
the active movements from the little fell
lows hands 10 his feet, that commenced .
a swinging motion, hi feet striking
against the chair.
Keep your feet still," caused this to
cease.
After one or two more reprO0fs, the
boy was left 10 himself As soon a. he
received his cup Of tea, he poured the
entire contents into his saucer, and then
tried b. lift il steadily % his lips, in do
ing this, he spilled a third Of Is contents
on the table cloth.
- uHtA hlA Lllt ear anu "A SLbLLA VI
angry words rewarded this feat.
Haven't 1 told you over aud over
again, YOU incorrigible bad boy, not TO
pour the whole ~ your tea into the sau-
cere Just zee what mess you have
made with that clean table cloth. ] de
clare aln out 81 all manner Of patience
with YOU Go away from the table this
iustautI'
Harry went crying away, not in anger,
but in grief His mother had 80 many
reproofs and injunctious 90 make, that
the bearing Of them all in mind was AN
impossible thing. As to pouring out his
tea az a time, he had no recollection Of
any Introduction on the subject, although
IL had been made over and over again
dozens Of times. In a little time he
came creeping slowly back, and resumed
his place at the table, his eyes gazing
wisJfully on his mothers face.
Mrs. Burton was sorry that she had
sent him away for what was only an ae-
cident She had felt She had hardly
been just TO the thoughtless boy. She
did not object 10 his coming, but said, a.
he took his seat, Next time see that
YOU are more careful. ] have told you
again and again not 10 I'll your saucer 10
the brim-yOu can never do Il without
spilling your tea on the tablecloth.u
This was not spoken IN kindness.
4 scene somewhat similar 10 this WAS
enacted at every meal, but instead OF
improving I'm his behavior, the boy grew
more needless. Mr. Burton rarely said
inything 20 Harry about his uuruly man
lers. but when he did, il was sufficient
That word was mildly yet firmly spoken.
He did not think him a bad boy, or diff
ult 10 manage. AT least lac never found
lim so.
" wish knew what 10 do with that
'hild 20 said Mrs. Burton, after the little
'ell0w had been sent 20 bed an hour be-
lore his time. i'm consequence Of some Vi
llati0n Of law and order. d" He makes
ne feel unhappy all the while. dislike
10 he forever sc0iding him-but what can
do? If did not curb him some way
here would be no living ia the house
with him. ! am afraid he viii cause q
world Of trouble"
Mr.. Burton sat silent. He wanted %
'ay word on the subject, but he feared
he effect might not be what he desired.
Il wish you would advise me what %
10, said hi, wife. rather penitently. {
- on Sit and don't say a single word,
n If you had no kind Of Interest in the ,
matter. What am ] 10 do? ] have ex-
nausted all my own resources, aud feel I
completely at a loss -
There Is a way which, if you adopt, s
,nnk might do great deal Of good"
Mr.. Burton spoke with a slight appear Z
anee Of hesitation. ,
II you would speak gently 10 Harry, ID
am sure you would be able 90 manage ]
him better than You dor /
Mrs. Burton's face was crimson in an q
instant she felt the reproof keenly; her \
self-esteem was severely wounded. [
speak gently, indeed " She replied. q
d might as well speak gently 10 tbe !
wind; / am scarcely heard now At tbe 5
top Of my voice !
As her husband did not argue the mat I
Ter with her, nor say anything that was 1
calculated 70 keep up the excitement nm =
der which she was lah0ring, her feaIiness 7
IN llttle while qgieied down. and her 4
thoughts became active. Tie words g