Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-04-15
Into the Sunshine.

IN her Danu.
The boy raised himself from the sofa, where
he had been lying in tears for half an hour,
and with touch of indignation in bis voice.
answered.
"He'll be sorry, not angry. Father never
gets angry"
For few moments the aunt looked at the
boy half curiously, and let her eyes fall again
upon the book that was in her hand.
The boy laid himself down upon the sofa a
gain, and hid his face from sight.
THAT'S father, now!" He started up, after
the lapse Of nearly ten minutes, as the sound
of bell reached bis ears, and went to the room
door. Hestood there for little while, and then
came slowly back with disappointed air;
at isn't father. l wonder what keeps him
so late. 0, l wish he would come p
"You seem anxious to get deeper into trou-
ble," remarked the aunt, who had only been
in the house a week, and who was neither very
amiabIc nor very sympathising towards chill
dren. The boys fault had provoked her, and
she considered him fit subject for punish
ment.
81 believe, Aunt Phoebe that you'd like to
see me whipped" said the boy, a little warmly,
"but you won't"
al must confess" replied aunt Phoebe,
'that think little wholesome discipline Of
the kind you speak of would not be out Of
place. If you were my child, am sure you
wouldn't escape"
"Tm not your child I don't want to be-
Fathers good and loves me"
"If your father is so good, and loves you so
we'll you must be very ungratefnl or very
inconsiderate boy. His goodness don't seem
to have helped you much"
"Hush, will you!" CALCULATED the boy, ex-
cited to anger by this unkindncss of speech.
"Phebep 1t was the boys mother who
spoke now, for the first time. In an under
tone, she added "You are wrong. Richard
is suffering quite enough, and you are doing
him harm rather than good
Again the bell rang, and again the boy left
the sofa, and went to the sitting room door.
"Its father% And he went gliding down
stairs.
"Ah Richard~ was the kindly greeting,
as Mr.. Gordon took the hands of his boy.
"But what's the matter, my s}n? You
don't look happy"
"Won't you come in here ?" And Richard
drew his father into the library. Mr.. Gordon
sat down, still holding Richards hand.
"You are in trouble, my son. What has
happened?"
The eyes of Richard filed with tears he
tried to answer, but his lips quivered Then
he turned, and opening the door of the cabinet,
brou ght tthe fragments of broken statuette,
which had been sent home only the day before,
and set them on the table before bis father,
over whose couutenance came instantly sha-
dow Of regret.
"Who did this, my son ?" was asked in an
even voice.
al did it,"
"How 2"
al threw my ball in there onco-oniy once
in forgetfulness."
The poor boys tones were husky and tremu-
lous. A little while Mr.. Gordon sat, controll-
ing himself, and collecting his disturbed
thoughts. Then he said cheerfully-" What
is done, Richard, can't be helped. You have
had trouble enough about it, can see-aud
reproof enough for your thoughtlessness-so |
shall not add word to increase your pain"
80, fatherp and the boy threw his arms
about his fathers neck, "you are so kind-so
goodP
Five minutes later, and Richard entered the
sitting room with his father. Aunt Phoebe
looked up for two shadowed faces, but did not
see them. She was puzzled.
"That was very unfortunate" she said, a
little while after Mr. Gordon came in. twas
such an exquisite work Of art. Its hopelessly
ruined"
Richard was leaning against his father when
his aunt said this. Mr.. Gordon only smiled
and drew his arm closely around his boy
Mrs. Gordon threw upon her sister look Of
warning, but it was unheeded.
al think Richard was very naughty boy"
"We have settled all that, Phoebe, was the
mild but firm answer Of Mr. Gordon, "and it
is one of our rules to get in the sunshine as
quickly as possible"
Phoebe was rebuked, while Richard looked
grateful, and it may be, little triumphant;
for bis aunt had borne down upon him rather
too hard for boys patience to endure
Into the sunshine as quickly as possible :
O. is not that the better philosophy for our
homes? Is it not true Christian philosophy? ?
1t is selfshness that grows angry and repels,
because fault was committed. Let Us get
the offender into the sunshine as quickly as
possible, so that true thoughts and right feel
ipgs may grow vigorous in its warmth. We
retain anger, not that anger may act as
wholesome discipline, but because we are un-
willing to forgive. All, if we were always
right with ourselves, we would oftener be right
with our children.