Perrysburg journal. (Perrysburg, Wood Co., O. [Ohio]) 186?-1965, 1871-11-10
LOVE AND FEAR.
BY t. $. ARTHUR.

"Did you hear me, sir ~
"I'm not deaf" muttered the boy i'll
an undertone, not meant for the ear OF
his father, but reaching it nevertheless.
Red anger burned instantly in the I
face of Mr. Somers, his eyes flashed with |
cruel purpose; his arm moved with an |
impulse to strike
"Take care, sirl"
Mr.. Somers advanced towards the lad |
in threatening way; but restrained the
hand half raised for a blow.
"Of with you this instant" he said
in passionate way; "and don't let the
grass grow under your feet. II you're
not back in thirty minutes by the watch
I'll fog you within an inch Of your life"
And Mr.. Somers drew out his watch
to note the time; then turned from the
boy actually trembling with excitement.
Richard-that was the lads name
manifested neither fear nor alacrity,
but, instead, kind of a dogged impas-
siveness. He made no response what
ever. The stormy utterance of his
father did not seem to affect him any
more than il it had been the murmur
of wind in the trees overhead. Rising
from the ground, where he had been
sitting with piece of wood in his hand,
which he was modelling into the form
of a boat, he moved away with loiter-
ing step. Not sign beyond this was
there that he heard, understood, or in
tended to obey his father.
"Thirty minutes!" muttered Richard,
as he walked along, as leisurely as if he
had the day before him. "He knows |
can't go in thirty minutes without run
ming every step of the way there and
| back; and Pm not going to do it for him
or anybody else. Let him fog me ii he
will. l won't stand it long"
Quick footsteps would have taken
Richard to the end of his short journey
to neighbor's house and back in less
than twenty-five minutes: but anger
had awakened anger, and harshly ap-
piled force feeling of resistance.
"Im not dog, to be kicked!' so he
talked with himself, cor mule to be
driven. That's not the way to treat a
boy. Flog me within an inch of my
life! / wish he'd kill me one of these
DAYS. and then he'd be -"
Richard could not utter the words
that commenced forming on his tongue.
A good impulse restrained him. He felt
a little shocked at the wickedness OF his
thought. After thishe walked on more
briskly, as if to atone by obedience for
the evil desire cherished for moment
within his heart. But his feet soon lin
gered again There was no willing mind
in the boy Propulsion, not attraction,
moved him onward, and his was ma
ture prone to resist On his way MANY
attractive things presented themselves,
and he stopped here and there, some
times in forgetfulness of his errand,
sometimes in willful disregard OF his
fathers command, wasting time and
rendering punishment thing next to
certain.
Full thirty minutes had expired when
the boy reached mis- destination.
won't you step down to the post
office and mail this letter for me?-
that's good boy" said the gentleman,
to whom he had been sent with mes
sage. The request was made in such a
kind voice, and with such pleasant
smile, that Richard felt that he could &C
through fire and water, as the saying is,
to oblige him.
Certainly, sir" he replied, in the
most compliant manner, reaching out
his hand for the letter. "I'll do it with
the greatest pleasure
"As we'll be killed for sheep as a
lamb" said the boy, as he took his way
to the postoffice. "The half hours up,
and the flogging earned. He can only
take the other inch of my life at the
worst, and then there'll be an end Of it. "
And he tried to whistle up a state OF
complete indifference; but the notes he
sent out upon the listening airs were not
light and thought-free as the robins
warble, nor sweet and tender as the lit
tie yellow birds song. The boys mind
was not at ease.
After depositing the letter, Richard
sauntered away i'll listless, indeter-
inmate manner. Going home was not
in his mind. There was an angry father
there; and punishment awaited his re-
turn. He did not feel in the least in
clined to meet the fiogging within an
inch of his life at an earlier moment
than was absolutely necessary. A sight
of the river, which ran short distance
from the town, gave direction to his
wavering thought; and off he started
for the pleasant stream on whose bosom
he loved to glide, bending to the light,
springing oar.
"You don't expect to see him in half
an hour, of course" said gentleman,
who had been witness to the contest
between the boy and his father, and
who had not failed to notice the excited
and ruffled state of Mr.. Somers' mind.
Age, character or relation gave him war
rant for this free speech. 1t was not
received us an intrusion, but in some
| Difference OF manner.
"He knows the penalty"
Mr.. Somers knit his brow severely.
Cruel purpose drew his lips firmly to-
gether.
(which you mean TO inhict?"
GAS surely as there is strength in this
right arm" And he stretched out the
vigorous member.
even to within an inch of the boys
life?"
A pair of calm eyes looked into the
face of the angry father; a mild, rebu-
king voice was in his ears.
81 Will bend or break him, sir. That
is my duty. What hope is there for a
willfully disobedient child"
"Small hope, l fear, !" said the other
'"Then is not my duty plain?"
There is no question as toyour duty, |
in the abstract, being plain-the duty of
securing submission from your child
but it is barely possible that you are not |
using the right means Mrs, Hewitt |
has expressed beautifully, in a single |
line, truth that may help you to see
some better way to reach the case. Do
you remember it?"
Mr.. Somers shook his head.
For love hath reader will than
fear"
"Love!" There was a spirit of rejec-
ton in the voice of Mr.. Somers.
1--WE need not be unkind, austere,
For love hath reader will than fear"
The neighbor repeated the couplet in
a low, emphatic voice, his tones lnger-
ing on the words that needed expires
sion, so as to bring out the full meaning
they had power to convey. The eyes
OF Mr. Somers fell away from his face.
He showed slight uneasiness OF man
ner. His stern countenance relaxed
of its sternness.
"a homelier, but more strongly ex-
pressed form of the same sentiment, is