Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1870-04-13
Striking a Child in Anger.


the side Of the head, and that, and that %
repeating the blows as he spoke, the last Of
which Knocked the boy over the plough that
was standing at his side. Get up, now,
and 90 into the house, continued the fither
"a and see if you can't keep out Of mischief
for awhile and stop that crying. or III give
you something to cry for :"
The boy started for the house, struggling
to suppress his sobs as he went.
" 1t is astonishing" said Dorinq. address
ing a neighbor, named llaniord, who was
near, in the barn. aud Of course had seen and
heard all that had passed how trouble
some boys are just see these oats now,
that | have got to pick up for that boys
lcarolessncss,' and he pointed to a measure
Of oats which William had accidentally over
turned
"And was it for that trido that you as
saulted your child, aud knocked him down o"
replied Mr.. Hanford, in a sorrowful tone.
Doring looked from the oats in surprise.
and repeated
Assaulted my child, and Knocked him
down Why, what do you mean, neighbor
Ilanlord ?"
"Just what say Did you not knock
the child over that plough ?"
Why-well-no He kind of stumbled
and fell over it" doggcdly replied Doring,
DO you 60 against parental authority ?
Have | not a right to punish my own chill
dren ?"
Certainly you have" responded Mr.
ianiord in a proper manner, and in a
proper spirit, but not otherwise. Do you
think that father has a right TO revenge
himself upon his child ?"
OF course not but who's talking about
rcyenge2"
Well, friend Doring let me ask You an-
other question For what purpose should
child be punished ?"
Why to make it better-to do it good
Of course" quickly answered Doring.
For any other purpose ?" quietly asked
Mr. Hanford.
Well no not that eau think Of Just
now replied Doring, thoughtfully.
And now, friend, kindly continued Mr..
ianiord, do you suppose your treatment to
your son, few moments ago, did him any
good, or has increased his respect and afec-
ton2 The boy, | venture to say, is utterly
unconscious Of having done any wrong, and
yet you suddenly assaulted him with anger
and violence. and rave him heating which
no peniteptiary convict can be subjected TO
without HAVING the outrage jnnuired into bv a
legislative committee. But let me tell Won
story You know nv son Charles 7r
"'The one that is now preaching in Charles.
town ?"
Z" Yes. Won have probably noticed that he
is lame p"
81 have noticed it." said Dorinr. " and
asked him how it happened and he told mo
he got hurt when bow
"Yes.0 responded Mr. Hanlord with emo.
ton. "the dear boy could never be made to
say that il was occasioned by his fathers bru.
taiity. But listen" he continued. as he saw
that Dorinr was about to speak
"When Charles was about the are Of your
son William, he was one of the most active
and intelligent boys had ever seen. | was
fond of him, and especially of his physical
beauty and proves. But unfortunately
was cursed with an irritable and violent tenn.
per, and was in the habit of punishing my
children under the influence Of passion and
vengeance, instead Of from the dictates of rea.
son, dutv, and enlightened affection.
Zone day Charles offended me by some
boyish and triAnr misdemeanor, and / treat
ed him almost exactly as you treated your
son few moments aro. | susek him VIC.
lently. and he fell upon pile of stones at his
side and injured his left side so BADLY that
the result was he was cripplcd for life.n said
Mr.. Hapford in tones of deepest sorrow and
remorse. and covered his face with his hands
A short period of oppressive silence fol-
lowed. which was at last broken by Mr.. Han
ford saying:
when | found that nv boy did not rise
from the stones on which he had fallen, |
seized him bv the arm. and rudelv pulled him
to his feet, and was about to strike him again.
when something that | saw in his faee-his
look-arrested INV arm. and | asked him if
he was hurt"
81 am afraid that | am. pa." he miGdly
answered. clinpinp to nv arm for support.
Where 9r | asked in great alarm for.
notwitbstandinr nv brutality. | fairly idol.
lied the hoy.
4" Here" he replied. layiur his hand upon
his hin.
"In silence took him in NV arms and
carried him to his bed. from which he never
arose the same bright. active. glorious hoy
that had 50 crnellv struck down ON that niie
of stones. But after many months. he came
forth. a pale. saddened little fellow. hobbIipg
on crutch !"
Here Mr.. Hanford broke down and went
like child. and the tears also rolled down
Doring's cheeks When he resumed. Mr.
HanCord said
" This is a humiliating narrative. peiobbor