Ashtabula weekly telegraph. [volume] (Ashtabula, Ohio) 1853-1873, 1868-01-04

| 'Aecplng GOuSc loT HliiHiiilt, 1iIS. FL
bert continued in gazing tone. ''What
do on mean, child 20
dts my hour to help mamma" con-
tin;bd the child in her artless way;
fold the napkins, dust the chairs when
Betsey's done sweeping, and feed Carlo !;
and mamma says this is keeping house
for her. Willie's making paper matches :;
he likes to use his fingers so that is part
of his work. Mamma didn't come down
this morning but we thought we'd keep
house Just the same, auntie."
'You're a good little girl, Enmie," :"
said Mrs. Elbert, kissing, the child. There
were tears in her eyes as she turnel a.
way. Why had she not taught her little
ones to help her?
The funeral was over. Mrs. Elb,lt re-
paired to her own home. AT another
time she might have found much to CEN
sure. for during her absence a little con-
tretemDs had occurred and the servants
regarded the silence of their mistress
with am:tZement.
"Come, get right into bed, Miss Min
ME. Don't bother about saying good
night for once for can tell you, Miss,
Your Ma isn't in a good humor, for all
She's so quiet. Cook says we shall all
catch it tomorrow. Pm sorry Master
Henry broke the pitcher, but there's no
use crying for split milk. Come get into
bed" and the girl took the light and lett
the apartment.
''Don't you think, Harry, we'd best tell
mamma about the pitcher?' said Aiinnie,
is soon as the sound of the girl'S foot
steps were no longer heard-''you know
our teacher said last Sunday, that we
should be willing to confess all we have
done amiss during the day, before We ask
ed God to take care of us through the
night"
81 amt afraid Of being punished, Min
ME" continued the courageous child, but
mammaYl be cross. | can't bear 10 make
mamma GLOSS"
'Or | either, Harry" retained Minnie,
in almost sobbing tone; wonder what
makes n!aniina GROSS? We're such dread
ful wicked children! She don't take us
to bed, like aunt Lucy does Emnie and
Willie"
"Periiaps its because she's sick" re-
turned Harry.
81 don't think God would make MAN.
ma sick and cross, Harry, if We told him
how badly we felt about it.''
81 don't know, Minnie; we might try"
the child said thoughtfnlly.
The two children knelt down; and af-
ter repeating the usual evening prayer,
the little girl added these words:
"Pleasc, God, dou't make mamma sick
and cross any more, and Harry and Min
ME will try to be good children. Amer" "
1t was simple petition, but it went
to the heart of one listener at least for
during the period passed at her sisters,
| Mrs. Elbcrt'S feelings had been deeply
| impressed, and she resolved to pay visit
to her childTcn's chamber before retiring
that night.
| Thus She overheard the artless prayer,
and long after the little ones had sunk
into a peaceful slumber her tears fl
thickly and fast on their couch.
In the morning Harry recited the story
of the broken pitcher, and while he was
telling Minnie that 'God must have
heard their prayer, for mamma wasn't a
bit cross :. but had kissed him, and said
he WAS good boy for coming to tell her
the truth and that he. must try and be
more careful i; future.'' Mrs. Elbert a
gain repaired to her sisters residence.
81 have come, Lucy" said she, 'to
learn the secret Of your influence III your
household
Mrs. Cotton smiled kindly on her sis
ter, while she returned
Constant watchfulness, end love, dear
Mary, with the blessing of Heaven, have
so far availed in my family. My chill
dren, like your own, are each Of Il differ
cnt temper. try to discover what are
their peculiar traits and dispositions
Willie is naturally of all active, nervous
temperament, and did | not keep him en-
ploycd, his restlessness would be a source
Of annoyance to himself and all around
him yet he is an open-hearted, generous
child, and trust, with proper training,
his activity will prove blessing; for be-
lieve me, sister, it is possible for child
to be restless. even boisterous, without
being willfully disobedient. l do not say
this to o.eXtenuate or excuse the disregard
of Il known command, but simply to
show the necessity of occupation for one
like himself Besides, children Ike to
feel they are of use, and it is well to ell
courage this feeling and though at first
it may tax your time and ingenuity to de-
wise plans for their employment, in the
end they may prove a real assistance, and
not cnly in devising plans for their EN-
ployment, should We take an interest, but
also i'll their diversions, for as we were
children ourselves once, SO should we re
member that youth is peculiarly the sea
son for those innocent enjoyments which
we once shared and by careing for then
joys as well as SORROWS, we shall be able
to gain their confidence, and that perfect
love which casteth out fear
Wothe''slNagazine.
An Hour with Maniac.
\ FACT.
Some years since l was travelling il
the Northern States, for the benefit O
| NV health 7 found some Kind friends