The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1871-06-30
Miscellaneous.
A MOMENT OF PASSION.

Mr.. Ellis was man of kind and ten
der feeling, but quick tempered and i'm.
pulsive. He had q son, ten years old,
a bright, handsome, generous-hearted
boy, who inherited his fathers impuls-
i've character. A quick tempered father
and thoughtless, impulsive boy are
apt to get into sharp collision at times,
and so it was with Mr.. Ellis and his
little son. The fathers commands
were not always obeyed, and as the
father had some strict notions in regard
to obedience, punishments Jared amid
the household harmonies rather more
frequently than wise regard to justice
and humanity would have approved.
The hasty temper and forgone conclu-
sions of Mr.. Ellis made his discipline
oftener cruel than reformatory. A sim
gle instance will illustrate our meaning,
and that is the story we wish to relate.
1t was pleasant summer afternoon,
and Willie Ellis came out from his
mothers hands, clad all in white linen,
and looking as sweet and pure as limo.
cence itself. The house stood only a
short distance from river, on the banks
of which the boy was fond of sporting,
and in the ooze of which he sometimes
soiled his garments in sad way, much
to the discomfort of himself and his
mother.
"Willie,' said Mr.. Ellis, as the boy
passed out, "where are you going ?"
"Only to play" answered the roguish
mouth.
"To play-where ?"
"With Eddie Wheeler, down mt his
house."
"Did your mother say you might go
there? ?"
"Yes, SIR"
"Very well; all right then. But,
mind one thing-you are not to go down
to the river. Yesterday you came home
with your clothes soiled and wet. l
won't have that again. So remember
what I've said-don't G o to the river"
"Not If Mr.. Wheeler lets Eddie go?"
There was half,pleading look in the
young, bright face.
"No," was the imperative answer
"I've said don't go to the river, and il
you disobey me I'll punish you Sc
verely."
Willie's step had lost some of its airy
lightness when he moved on again.
"Mind that you don't forget !" called
the father after him.
The boy heard but did not look back
or make any response, which a little
annoyed Mr.. Ellis, who had grown very
sensitive on the score of strict obed
ience.
at wouldn't at all surprise me-" HI
said to himself, If he were to com,
home in an hour all covered over will
river mud. lie is so thoughtless, o
self wlled-I hardly know which. Blu
children must be made to obey. That
the discipline to enforce, at all hazards
and if he disobcys me this time, he will
have cause to remember it as long as h
; lives"
/ Something had grown wrong wit
Mr.. Ellis, and he was in sterner moo
than usual. Moods of mind, rather
than sense of justice, oftenest inhu
r ence our conduct with reference to otl
ers. We act from state of feelin
more frequently than from considers
tions of right.
Mr.. Ellis went away from home 500
v after and returned in an hour. AS b
!. stood at the door, and glanced aroun
for q moment before entering, he sa
Willie in a shocking plight, wet an
Ii soiled from head to foot, stink throug
/, the garden gate. The boy noticed hin
=, and was endeavoring to get into Il
" house without being seen. But at Il
!" door where he hoped to enter unobssr
l. ed, he encountered a stern and angl
face. A few quick strides had broug
;" his father there.