Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1869-06-11
a chip 81 the old Block.

Nothing is more common than 10 hear
children described BY This honely phrase.
They cannot help taking upon themselves
the character oI .ie homes II which they
are nurtured. They have been inyoIun,
tarily moulded hv The influences which ihey
have telt from their earliest hours. Many
faults OF temper aad manners for which &c
blame them, they have iecivel unconscious
ly from us, and we only nee our own ,,u-
comfortable habits made flesh before our
ryes, IN The condition Of those who have
been constantly moulded By our example.
II is not what we say. but what we are. ,ha,
most powerfully affects the childhood in our
homes.
The father dies out of an affsctionate
family, and the mother is left behind in
bereavement and sorrow with her little hoc,,
of children. As she sits nedirating upon
her loss, she hears q step coming down the
walk. The colof rushes into her face. and
then she becomes deadly pale and faiat.
Whose step was that? Is he coming home
as usual from work again? After all, were
his sickness and death hat feyerish dream !
Was that Ais step? The door opens aud
her oldest sen j. in her arms! When was
be taught 10 strp like Lis father stepped be.
fore him. We are consraasly influencing
these susceptible young spirits while we arc
in their presence. Their faces do not beaI
more distinct marks of cur cogntenances
than their tempcrs do Of our spirits. The
smiles that pass like sunshine over our fore
heads, and the clouds that sometimes veil
lLem, are all ima1ed upon the souls Of the
children, just as the beams Of midday and
the flo .iiiig yapors are reflected ia the bo-
som of the sea. We bless them BY our ex>
ample more than we can by our ccunses.
Mothers preach less than fathers, but they
influence soung children far more. We
should be ourselves what we would have
them to be. Children are shrewd aud close
observers.
''Be stillr' said mother Ia her little son,
who was playing just ont OF tie door with
his companions while bis mother was en-.
tetaining company. The noise continued.
BE aniet! = again said the mother; hut
still the clatier went on. II shall have to
punish You If you do not obey me-" said
The mother once more, and without effect,
to the child. ''Ain't you af aid she will
whip you?f asked one of his companions,
surprised a, bis boldncss. 20, nor re-
turned the little philosopher, 'she never
whips me until she has spoken louder than
that
When we end eoarse, selfish, unmanrer-
II. nnkind children, we can but think the
influences of home have been unwholesome.
There may hare been correct counsels and
se.ere punishments, but the daily temper
ard habit of the household have not been
genial. ], is not the storm, the deluge OF
rain. the electric discharge. that has the
most TO do in bringing forward vegetable
life. although these have their place but
II is daily sunshine and the evening and
morning de VS. that chiefly neurish aud bring
to perfection the summer fruits. Neither i
II the harsh command, and the sharp. sud-
den retribu,ion that follows wrong-doing,
that has the most to do in giving direction
to Youthful character, but The daily example
and genial tempcrs OF the household. Let
il be compliment to child ard parent to
say, ''heis chip Of the old block. ."-Ameri
can .4grieslfurisf.