Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1870-04-07
SeIeft Storu.
The Effect of Gentle Words

to DO Win InaG DOy, Sdlu MIS-. burton
to her husband, with much concern on
her face, and in an anxious tone of
voice. II never yield to his imperious
thing; [ think about him, and care for
him at all times, but see no good re-
suits"
While Mrs. Burton was speaking, a
bright active boy, eight years of age,
came dashing into the room, and with
out needing any one, soon commenced
beating with two large sticks against
one of the window-sills, and making a
deafening noise.
'Incorrigible boyI" exclaimed his
mother, going quickly up to him, and
Jerking the sticks out of his hand.
.'Can not teach you manners or decen-
cy? L have told you a hundred times
that when you come into the room
where any one is sitting, you must be
quiet Go up stairs this moment, and
do not let me see your face for an hour!"
The boy became sulky in an instant,
and stoou where he was, pouting sadly.
Ibid you hear what L said q? Go up
stairs this moment!n
Mrs. Burton spoke in very angry
tone, and looked quite as angry as She
spoke.
Slowly moved the boy toward the
door, scowl darkling his face, that was
but a moment before so bright and
cheerful. His steps were too deliberate
for the over-excited feelings of the moth
er; she sprang toward him, and seiZing
him by the arm, pushed him from the
room, and closed the door leudly after
him.
''I declare, am out of all heartI" she
exclaimed, sinking down upon a chair.
at is line upon line, and precept upon
precept, but all to no purpose. That
boy will break my heart yet ~
Mr.. Burton said nothing, but he saw
plainly enough that it was not all the
child's fault. He knew the temper of
his wife so well, and her peculiar sensi-
tiveness about everything that looked
like charging any fault upon herself.
that he feared more harm than good
would result from an attempt on his part
to show her that she was more than half
to blame for the boys perverseness of
temper.
Once or twice the little fellow showed
himself at the door, but was driven back
with harsh words until the hour for tea
arrived. The sound of the tea-bell caused
an instant oblivion of all the disagreea-
BILE impressions made on his mind. His
little feet answered the welcome sum-
mons with clatter that stunned the
ears of the mother.
go back, sir :" she said sternly, as he
burst open the dining-room door, and
sent it swinging with a loud conclusion
against the wall; "he is more like a horse
than boy"
Master Harry Withdrew, poutfno out
his rosy lips to the distance Ofneariy an
inch. He went up one flight of stairs
and then returned.
60 up to the third story where YOU
first started from, and come down quiet
ly all the waH, or you shall have no sup
per-"
al do not want to-" whined the boy.
60 up, [ tell you THE instant, or 1
will send you to bed without anything
to eat.n
This was threat that former expert
ence taught him might be executed, and
so he concluded to submit rather than
pay SO dearly for having his own way.
The distance to the third story was
made in few light springs, and then
he came pattering down lightly, and
took his place at the table, quickly, but
silently.
'There-there; not too fast; you have
plenty to eaS, and time enough to eat it
inn
Harry settled himself down TO the
table as quietly as his mercurial spirits
would let him, and tried to wait until
he was helped, but in spite of all his eff
forts to do so, his hand went over into
the bread basket. A look from his
mother caused him to drop the slice he
had raised; it was not a look in which
there was much affection. While wait
ing to be helped, his hands were busy
with his knife and fork, making a most
unpleasant clatter.
Put down your handu' harshly spo-
ken, remedied this evil, or rather sent
the active movement from the little fell
lows hands to his feet, that commenced
a swinging motion, his heels striking
noisily against the chair.
keep your feet stfll!, This caused
the noise to cease.
After one or two more reproofs the
boy was left to himself. AS soon as he
received his cup of tea, he poured the
entire contents into his saucer, and then
tried to lift it steadily to his lips In
doing so, he spilled one-third of it upon
the table-cloth.
a box on the ears, and storm of
angry words, rewarded this feat.
Have not told you over and over
again, you incorrigible, bad boy, not to
pour all ofyour tea into your saucer :?
just see WnaG mess you have made
with that table cloth. / declare L am
out of all patience with you! Go away
from the table this instant.n
Harry went crying away, not in an
ger, but in grief. He had spilled his
tea by accident. His mother had so
many reproofs and injunctions to make,
that the bearing of them all in mind
was thing impossible. As to pouring
out his tea all at time, he had no re-
collection Of any Introduction on that
subject, although it had been made over
and over again very often. In a little
while he came creeping slowly back. and
resumed his place at the table, his ewes
fixed on his mothers face. Mrs. Burton
was very sorry that she had sent him
away for what was only an accident
She felt that: she had hardly been lust
to the thoughtless boy. She did not,
therefore, object to his coming back, but
said as he took his seat, Next time see
that you are more careful. [ have told
you again and again not to fill your
saucer to the brim; you never can do this
without spillilg the tea upon the table
cloth.n
This was not spoken in kindness.
A scene somewhat similar to this was
enacted at every meal . ut instead of i'm
proving in his behavior, the boy grew
more needless. Mr.. Burton rarely said
anything TO Harry about his unruly
manner, but when he did word was
enough That word was always mild
yet firmly spoken. He did not think