Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1869-06-04
farm an6 9ouseboIo.
A Chip of the Old Block.

NOTHING is more common than to hear
children described by this homely phrase.
They cannot help taking upon themselves
the character of the homes in which they
are nurtured. They have been involun-
tarily moulded by the influences which
they have felt from their earliest hours
Many faults of temper and manners for
which we blame them, they have received
unconsciously from us, and we only see
our own uncomfortable habits made flesh
before our eyes, In the condition of those
who have been constantly moulded by our
example. It is not what we sag, but what
we are. that most powerfully affects the
childhood in our homes.
The father dies out of an affectionate
family, and the mother is left behind in
bereavement and sorrow with her little
flock of children. AS she sits meditatin g
upon her loss, she hears step coming
down the walk. The color rushes into
her face, and then she becomes deadly pale
and faint. Whose step was that? Is he
coming home as usual from work again?
After all, were his sickness aud death but
feverish dream? Was that has step?
The door opens and her Oldest son is in
her arms! When was he taught to step
like his father? Every time his father
stepped before him. We are constantly
influencing these susceptible young spirits
while we are in their presence. Their
faces do not bear more distinct marks OF
our countenances than their tempers do
of our spirits. The smiles that pass like
sunshine over our foreheads, and the
clouds that sometimes veil them, are all
imaged upon the souls of the children,
just as the beams of midday and the float
ing vapOrs are reflected in the bosom of
the sea. We bless them by our example
more than We can by our cOunsels. Moth
ers preach less than fathers, but they in
fuence young children far more. We
should be ourselves what we would have
them to, be. Children are .shrewd and
close observers. -
Be still !" said mother to her little
son, who was playing just out of the door
with his companions while his mother was
entertaining company. The noise con-
tinued, Be quietI" again said the
mother; but stillthe CHATTER went on az
shall have to punish you if you do not
obey me" said the mother once moro, and
without effect, to the child. t'Ain't you
afraid she will whip your" asked enc of
his companions, surprised at his boldness
90, not" returned the little philosopher,
she never whips me until she has spoken
louder than that p a.er - ...E n ,..
When we find coarse, selfish, unmanner-
ly, unkind children, we can but think the
influences of home have been unwhole-
some. There may have been correct
counsels and severe punishments, but the
daily temper and habit of the household
have not been genial It is not the storm,
the deluge of rain, the electric discharge.
that has the most to do in bringing for
ward vegetable life, although these have
their place; but it is the daily sunshine
and the evening and morning dews that
chiefly nourish and bring to.perfection the
summer fruits Neither is it the harsh COM
mand, and the sharp, sudden retributien
that follows wrong doing, that has the
most to do in giving direction to youthful
character, but. the daily example and
genial tempers Of the household. Let it
be compliment to child and parent to say,
he is chip of the old lock."-Ameri-
can AgricaGtwSst