The Lancaster gazette. [volume] (Lancaster, Ohio) 1863-1886, 1867-03-21

| hSSP JOui AOOV oIll SOubcu tDlS
to cease.
After one or two more reproofs, the
boy was left to himself AS socn as he
received his cup of tea be poured the
entire contents into the saucer, and
then tried to lift it steadily to his lips.
In doing 30 he spilled one third Of the
contents upon the table cloth.
A box on the ears and storm of
angry words rewarded this feat.
"Have | not told you over and over
again, you incorrigible, bad boy, not
to pour the whole of your tea into
your saucer? Just see what mess
You havo made with that clean table.
cloth ? l declare | am out of all pa
ticnce with you Go away from the
table this instant I"
Harry went crying away, not in an
ger, but in grief. He had spilled his
tea by accident His mother had 80
many reproofs and injunctions TO make
that the bearing of them all in mind
was thing impossible. As to pour
ing out all his tea at time, he had no
recollection of any Introduction on that
subject, although it had been made
over and over again very often. In q
little while he came creeping slowly.
back and resumed his place at the ta-
bic, his eyes on his mothers face. Mrs.
Burton was sorry that she had sent
him away for what was an accident.
she felt that she had hardly been Just
to the thoughtless boy. She did not,
therefore object to his coming back,
and said, as he took his seat, "Next
time see that you are more careful. 1
have told you again and again not to
fill your saucer to the 6rim you new
er can do it without spilling tho tea
upon the table. cloth"
This was not spoken in kindness.
A scene somewhat similar TO this
was enacted at every meal but in
stead of improving in his behavior the
boy grew more and more needless,
Mr.. Burton rarely said anything to
Harry about his unruly manner, but
when he did, a word was enough.
That word was always mildly yet
firmly spoken. He did not think him
bad boy or difficult to manago--at
least he never found him so. II wish
l knew what to do with that child"
said Mrs. Burton after the little fel.
low had been sent TO bed an hour BE-
fore his time, in consequence of some
violation of law and order; she makes
me constantly feel unhappy. l dis
like to be scolding him forever, but
what can do2 If did not curb him
in some way there would be no lv.
ing in the house with him. I am
afraid he will cause us great deal of
trouble"
Mr. Burton was silent He want
ed to say a word on the subject. but
he feared that it's effect might not be
what he desired.
~ wish you would advise me what
to do, Mr., Burton" said his wife lit
tie petulantly. "You sit, and do not
say single word, as ifyou had no in
terest in the matter. What am l to
do? have exhausted all my own re-
sources, and feel completely at loss. "
"Thero is a way, which, if you
would adopt it, think might do
good" Mr.. Burton spoke with a
slight appearance of hesitation, "If
you would speak gently to Harry, |
am sure you would be able to manage
him far better than you d."
Mrs. Burton's face was crimsonod
; in an instant she felt the reprool
deeply; her self.esteem was severely
wounded.
"Speak gently, indeed !" she replied
II might as we'll speak 10 the wind
am scarcely heard now at tho top OF
my voice"
As her husband did not argue the
matter with her, nor say anything
that was calculated to keep up the ex,
citement under which she was labor.
ing, her feelings, in a little while
quieted down, and her thoughts be,
came active. Tho words Speak gen,
tIy," were constantly in her mind, and
there was reproving import in them
On going to bed that night she could
not get to sleep for several hours; her
mind was too busily engaged in re-
viewing her conduct toward her child
She clearly perceived that she had too
; frequently suffered her mind to get ex
T cited and angry, and that she was
often annoyed at trides which ought
to have been overlooked.
IL am afraid | have been unjust t.
my child" she sighed over and oveI
/ again, turning restlessly upon her pill
low.
~ will try and do BETTER" she sale
7 to herself as she rose in the morning
, feeling but little refreshed from sleep
Before she was ready 10 leave hel
room she heard Harrys voice calling
her from the next chamber where he
, slept. The tones were fretfsl; h'
, wanted some attendance, and was cry
2 ing out for 1t in manner that in
stantly disturbed the even surface o
: : the mothers feelings. She was abou
telling him, angrily, to be quiet unit
she could finish dressing herself, whor
the words "speak gently seemed
, whispered in her ear, Their etfec
was magical; the mothers spirit wa
q subdued.
5 ~ will speak gently" she murmur
| ed, and went in to Harry, who wa
:. still crying out fretfuIly.
o "What do you want, my son." sh
8 said, in quiet, kind voice.
Q The boy looked up with surprise