Elizabeth daily monitor. [volume] (Elizabeth, N.J.) 1868-1880, 1869-06-21
A IIASTY SPIRIT.

"There, I'll see if Tn going to be
plagued with that any more" exclaim-
ed an excited mother, Selling the Of
Tending toy from the child's hand, and
going toward the crate.
"Don't mother, don't burn it up,
screamed little Benny. The child's
plea was unavailing already the flames
had spoiled the pretty painted toy. For
two whole days the tiny whistle IA pres
sent from Uncle john had made little
Benny as happy as child could be.
Every room in the house had rung with
its shrill music, frightening the baby
and torturing older ears with its
screenings, all rare sport for Benny,
who persisted in keeping up the din,
despite of threat and entreaties. All
the boys in the village had seen and adj
mired the wonderful whistle. Choicest
nuts and apples, balls of Irvine and fish
ing-tackle and penknife had been Of
fered ip exchange for the coveted toy.
This last was tempting offer to Ben
ny. But the love of noise finally tri-
umphed over the desire for whiting.
Poor Benny, his precious whistle would
never make any more noise for him
He looked the picture of despair, sit
ting there before CRATE, with his tear
stained face, contemplating his idol in
ashes. 1t was his first real sorrow, and
it seemed almost more than his child
heart could bear The sorrowful face
filled the mothers heart with regret for
the hasty act. eco out and play, she
said pleasantly. But Benny's heart was
too full of sorrow for that. Before his
usual bedtime, he crept away to his
trundle-bed. The low sobbings reach
ed the mothers ear long after sleep had
closed the little fellows eye-lids. Step
ping softly too the room where he slept
she knelt by her darling boy, kissing
away the hot tears. Smoothing back
the moistened curls, and giving fresh
tuck to the bed-clothes, she went back
to her work. But her thoughts were
i'll at ease. She knew the child had de-
served punishment, but did not in the
manner and spirit in which she had
given it. Her hasty temper had led
her into an act of injustice, almost of
cruelty to her child, and she resolved,
as she had done many times befoie5
never to be so hasty againg.
When the morning came she missed
the childish prattle, the caress of the
velvety arms, and the bright lips put
up lovingly to hers for the eood,morn-
ing kiss. With sad forebodings, she
bent over the bed where little Benney
lay. The little face, flushed with fever,
tossed restlessly upon the pillow, moan
ing its lost treasure The sunny blue
eyes were heavy with pain. With that
anxious, loving care which only mother
knows, she tended the suffering child,
pleading with heaven for his precious
life, that she might atone for the past.
Too late. A few brief days of suffer
ing, and the angels took little Benny
home.
Death left darker shadow in that
dwelling, the earth fell upon that LITTLE
coffin with gloomier sound, for the
bitter memories in the mothers heart
Others may be spared the bitter exper-
fence through which her spirit learned
the lesson of self-control. Better were
it, though, that the child die in its inno-
cence that it should come to years Of
maturity with such character as
hasty, passionate spirit on the part of
her to whom is committed its training
begets. Herald.