The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1866-01-10
A Story of Real Life.

exclaimed John Dorng TO bis son William,
lad Of twelve years. "Take that !" be said,
striking Kim a heavy blow on the side Of
The head 'and thai, and that = repeating the
blows as he spoke, the last of which knock
ed the boy over plough that was standing
by his side. "Get up now and go into the
house, continued the father, ''and see it
you can't keep out of mischief for awhile,
and stop that crying, or II give you some
thing TO cry for"
The boy started for the house, struggling
TO suppress his sobs as he went.
al is astonishing" said Doring. address
ing .neighbo: named Hanford, who was
near by in barn, and OF course had seen
and heard all that had passed, show rroub-
lesome boys are. Just see these oats, now,
tha, I've got TO pick up, for that boys care
lessness;" and he pointed TO measure OF
oats which had accidentally overturned.
"And it was for that lrihe that you assault
ed your child, and knocked him down y re-
piled Mr.. HanfOrd, in sorrowiul tone.
Dorirg looked from the oats in surprise,
and repeated:
Assaulted my child and knocked him
down! Why, what do you mean, neighbor
Hanford ln
''Just what say. Did you not knock the
child over the plough !"
'Why-well-no. He kind stumbled
and fell over it, doggedy replied Doring.-
'Do you go against PARENTAL authority p
Havn't | right to punish my own child?
Certainly you have replied MIR. Hanford,
in proper manner, and in a proper
spirit, but not otherwise. Do you think
father las a right 10 revenge himself upon
his child q
'Of coarse not; but who's talking about
reveugep
We'll, my friend Doring, lei me ask you
another question: For what reason should
child be punished q
'Why, 10 make il better, and TO do ii good
quickly answered DOring.
For any other q inquired Hanford'
well, no, no; that can think of now
answ cred Dorng, thoughlfully.
'And now, my friend,' kindly continued
Hanford, 'do you suppose your reatmet TO
your son few moments ago did him any
good, or has. increased his respect and affec-
ton towards you? The boy, venture 10
say, is utterly unconscious of having done
any wrong, and yet you have suddenly as.
saulted him with anger and violence, and
gave him a beating that no peniieniiary
convict can be submitted TO without having
The outrage inquired into by a legislative
committee. But let me tell you alitlle story.
You know nay son Charlesp
The one that is preaching in Charles
townp
Yes; and you have probably noticed that
he is lame! !!
q have noticed it, said Doring, 'and asked
him how il happened and he told me he got
hurt when boy
Yes replied Mr.. Hanford, with emotion,
'lhe dear boy never could be made to say
that it was by his fathers brutality. But
Iisten,' he continued, as he saw that Doring
was about TO speak.
when Charles was about the age of your
son William, he was one of the most active
and intelligent boys had ever seen. | was
fond of him, and especially of his physical
beauty and progress. But unfortunately |
was cursed with an irritable and violent
tenn per, and was in the habit of furnishing
my children under the influence of passion
and vengeance, instead OF from the dictates
reason, duty and enlightened affection.
'One day Charles offende me by some
boyish and trhing misdemeanor, and
treated him almost exactly as you treated
your son a few minutes ago. ] struck him
violently, and injured his left side so badly
that the result was, he was crippled for life,'
said Mr. Hanford, IN tones OF deepest sorrow
and remorse.
period of oppressive silence followed,
which was at last broken by Mr.. Hanford
saying,
when found my boy did not rise from
the stones on which be had fallen, | seized
him by the arm and rudeIy pulled him TO
his feet, and was about TO strike him again.
when something saw in his face-his look,
arrested my arm, and asked him if he was
hurt
q am afraid that am, pa he answered
mildly clinging TO my arm for support.
'Where q | asked in great alarm, for no.
withstanding my br utality, fairly idolized
the boy.
Here he replied, laying hiS hand upon
his hip.
'In silence took him in my arms and
carried him 10 his bed, from which he never
arose the same bright, active, glorious boy,
that had SO cruelty struck down on that
pile of stones But after many months he
came forth, pale, saddened little fellow,
hobblug on a crutch