Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-01-20
SELECTED STORY
HAsTY WORDS.

Mother, please look here's and see m,
pretty block house. When I'm man w
will have one just like it,
glanced at foul years old Harry, VIII
had constructed most wonderful edifee il
the middle of my sitting-room.
am afraid it will not keep out much o
tt snow" said I
"But it would be so nice in the sum
mer." said Harry, laughing merrily, ant
springing to my side, he threw his LITTLE
arms around my neck, saying, "Oh, nam
ma, lcve you so =!
Harry said I. kissing him, twill 80,
run tell Bridge to have warm biscuit fo
tea ?"
He started quickly, and as he started hi
foot caught in light stand upon which
had rlaced rare Partisan vase with q rost
bud just unfolding its crimson petals in it
The stand fell over and the vase "a gift from
my dead mother) was shattered.
"You naughty boy" cried apgrily
ssyou deserve to be whipped. Pick up thos'
pieces instantly and put them in the coal
hod.'
He stopped, carefully picked up the frag
ments, scratching his little fingers as he die
$. against the sharp edges. He carried
them away and was gone some time. Wher
he returned it was with something claspel
tightly in his hand.
"Coming to me he placed a ive-cen
piece in my lap, saying timidy, twill tina
buy you new vase, mamma =
What evil demon possessed Inc to take
the DIN, his sacredly cherished treasure, &
kind neighbor had give him for some little
ofGce) and throw it from me. know not
Harry picked it up with tears running
down his face, and sat down upon his stoo
with his hands folded SO lneekly. Present
ly he said /: "MayI go and play with Ed
die Porter 2"
II don't care where you CO." said cross
ly, $50 yov keep out of my sight,
Harry went to the closet where his coal
and hat hung, put them on, and came and
stood by my side
"Mamma, will you please forgive me p
I'm so sorry : and he put his lips up for {
kiss. Oh, God forgive l pushed the little
fellow away He stood by the door mo
ment, looking pitifully at me. 1t is twenty
five years ago to-day since he stood there
but I can see him with his blue coat ane
gray worsted skating cap, and the little rec
n1ittens, as if it were but yesterday But
looked coldly at him (; the door opened ant
shut, the little feet went slowly down thu
stairs. I heard him 90 out christening tht
gate.
Looking out of the window | saw the lit
tie fellow lift his face with a smile as he saw
me, which gave place to a pitiful culver o
the lips as he saw l took no notice
Of him. | watched the darling down thu
street with strange underlined feeling. til
the little coat and red mittens were no long
er visible.
Twice a sudden impulse moved me to cal
him back, but crushed it down. Oh
would to God [ had ! Well, | sewed al
through the afternoon At four o'clock
put away my work and sat by the window
Conscience began to reproach me for m,
conduct II don't care" said I, my beau
tiful vases is ruin" "What is the valn
of all tie vases in the world compared will
your child Have you not spoken Grossly t.
that dear little Harry, who is always S
cheerful and obedient A? And this is nc
the first time either, and you calling your
self christian mothor, too Suppose Harr
should be suddenly taken away from you
Wouldn't your cruel words haunt you fol
ever"
I could bear this no longer I rose an
picked up the stray litter about the room
give it more tidy appearance.
Then l went to the window, peering anx
ously through the gloom, but seeing notf
ing of my boy. Ny heart became terribl
heavy this suspense was unbearable. =
Hastily throwing shawl over my head,
ran into Mrs. Porter's:
''Have you seen Eddie 2" was the que
ton before entered the room. Have yo
seen Harry (" ''He was over here at ha
past two :; he and Eddie went over to Jos
Gray's. I think"
Whet she thought [ never knew. for
that moment Eddie rushed in breathles
screaming, "Mother, mother Harry Lo
ing is drowned! We were sliding on tt
mill pond, and there was hole in the Ii
with snow on it, and Harry did not see
and"
"Hush Eddie" said his mother, lookir
at me fearfully. "Here is Mrs. Loring
There was greet silence in the roo
broken only by the blithe, sweet voice of
canary, and the pur Of Maltese cat.
5 Presently Mrs. Porter came toward m
and placed Ter hand softly upon my shou
/. der saying, ella, my poor child"
, never moved, but sat locking with II
eyes upon an awful picture. A cold, gr'
AFTERNOON, pond, little boys playing up'
j. it, one>little figure, we'll known to me SUI
denly disappearing through the treaehero
ice, down the little hands grasping at cru
weeds, the sweet mouth full of water. Al
those wicked sinful words ringing throuI
my cars, II don't care where you go,
loug as you keep out ofmy sight! r The
y was mist before my eyes, ringing in n
ears. 1 remember leaving the house witt
blind feeling of going where my Harry ws
Then came a horrible sense Of the earth G
IS ing way undor my feet and I knew