The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1867-06-25

began again.
yes, girls he said, addressing us
collectively, to the great relief of poor
Maria Jane, there's a great deal in mode
and tense much deep philosophy, many
profitable suggestions. Do you see how
that can be p
We were obliged to say we did not
understand.
'Well, suppose not, said father. But
what is meant by mode and tense ?
All of us began at once, Mode is the
particular form of the verb in which
'Pshaw = interrupted father, Il don't
want any of your grammar book dlini-
tions. It's the general idea am after
We were posed and silcnced; for if
there were any other idea, particular or
general, than the grammar book set forth,
we were guilllcss of its acquisition.
Manner and time-manncr and time
girls, cried he, impaticntly; that is the
meaning ot mole and tense, in plain
English Why, what in the world is all
your schooling good for If you can't tell
that yet Don't you see now that mode
and tense need not belong exclusively to
verbs. or even grammar itself That it
may belong .lnst as properly to circum-
stances, events. actions, men and things,
ms to langnagc DO you see this I'm
afr'id not, indeed.
That we looked blank enough TO confirm
such Il fear there is no doubt; but we
had o answer to give, for we had never
dreamed of such free translation of
those blind words mode and tense
'Wcll, we'll, father went on, perhaps
| ought not to expect it ut your age; but
| trust The time will come when you will
be able to perceive and apply principles
wh, ther found in books OF anywhere else
in short, to gcneralz', AMI not be
forever cramming your heads with par
ticulars and detl IS. But npw as have
sadly pcrplcXcd you all, l think must
tell you story to make mp for it. as well
as to illustrate tho importance Of mode
and tense accordingly to my more cnarg-
ed application Of it. Aha that bright
ems you up at once, sec. We'll, shut
up your grammar>, and Won. Rebcccn,
just move my loolStool trhe--mind you
don't touch my toes Mercy Well, |
suppos' you couldn't help it. Oh =
Did | hurt you, dear pppa! said
Rebccca, piiifully; 4 tried not to,
indeed
Il know it, answered father, kinlly :
'Lnd now pay attention AMI Iii tell you
my story Of mode and tense it's short
one, and perhaps you'll think it doll
one, but it is all true, and affords n very
interesting rcminlscencc to your father
is it about yourself, papa ? asked
Maria Jane. please tell US that, at the
outset
You mustn't be so iuqnislivc,' replied
father, cva,ively. Its cno1gh to know
that it is ruc,anl that knew personally
the characters in it and don't interrupt
me any more
'No, no, papa, said we all gathering
Il little closer to his chair; movement
which he regarded with dcprecating
expression until satisfied that his toes
were in no danger.
My friend, Manning, you know,
commended father, 1--WE knew nothing
about him, by the way) was m obscure
but ambitious boy and having abiltic.
not Of an every day orl,r, he early re-
solved upon turning himself to some
account in the world. But he was Il
poor mans son, and one of Il large family
and the question was how TO bring about
under circumstances as unfayorable as
could well be imagined His parents
were plain, hard working honest, church
going people, having little to do with
the rciinements Of life, but possessing
plepty OF strong good sense and innate
perceptions OF the proprielies of social
intercourse. And they had carefully and
prrscveringly inculcatcd the notion which
this good seEsc suggested. One rule they
especially insisted on--l rcgret to say is
too often disregarded by the people in
their station. They scrupulously enjoined
and enforced, if necessary, a respect and
Difference for superiors either in age, con.
dtion, or character never allowing al
iniraction of this rule to pass without
suitable rcbuke or punishment II practice
which all parents and educators of youth
would do well to initiate; for dcpent
upon it, girls, there Is nothing in the worc
which 50 progresses one in favor of an
other us civil and respectful behavior OF
address. | care not whether old or yOun.
rich or poor, wise or ignorant it is tht
passport 10 good will, and has, in man,
instances, been the stepping stone TO for
tune. Well, my friend, Manning, at thi,
period Of his history was as green an.
untutored Il little chap as need be; bash
ful and awkward beyond all description
but he had got this lesson by heart, though
he seldom had Il call to put it in practice
'One bright autumn Sunday, youn;
Manning and one or two of his brother
were standing on the terrace Of the vii
lage meeting house for though they live,
at distance they were required to b'
punctually at church as often as SUNDAY
came for these parents, though not pro
fessedly religious, held very correct no
tions about church gong Its respect
able said they, 'and we wish you tp b.
respected We cannot leave you money
but we will see to it that you acquire righ
habits.
'lhey stood on the terrace, | said, ma
king their boyish observations on the var
ious equipages of the good towns -peopl