Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1871-10-25


"Wc need not be unkind, ausioro.
For love hath reader will than lear"
The neighbor repeated the couplet in a low,
emphatic voice, his tones lingering on the
words that needed expression, so as to bring
out the full meaning they had power to con.
voy. The eyes of Mr. Somers fell away from
his face. He showed slight uneasncss Of
manner. His stern couutcnance relaxed some-
thing Of its sternness.
\ homolor, but more strongly expressed
form Of the same sentiment, is given in the
old proyerb, made whom language went to its
meaning by the shortest way. Honey catch
es more flies than vinegar Now, friend Som.
ers, having tried the vinegar for good while,
and with most discouraging results, let me
suggest your resort to honey. In other
words, change your whole mode Of discipline.
Speak kindly, and in low voice to Richard,
instead Of in the bluff imperative, querulous
or angry manner in which you almost always
address him. Let him feel that you really
love him, that there is a soft, warm, attach
able side to your character, and my word for
it, he will move to your bidding with winged
feet have studied the boy and see in him
good and noble qualities But he has inner.
tied from his father a certain impatence Of
control, and a will ever on the alert to resist
unduly applied force. You may lead him
by love anywhere; but, under the rule Of
fear, you will drive him, certainly, beyond
your influence Forgive my plain speech
have wished to say this before, but, until
now saw no good opportunity
The whole aspect Of Mr. Somers underwent
] L ~ q. L
He saw that he had been unjust to the boy
unloyng, unkiud Back to his own early
days his thoughts went with bound and
there came vivid remCmbrances Of state,
into which he had been thrown by harsh
treatment states from which no punishment,
however severe, could move him. Kindness
had always been to his heart like melting sun.
shine--sternness like an icy wind And
Richard was like him. How strange that he
had never thought of this before
A long sigh quivered up from the oppress
ed heart of Mr. Somers.
"lf could only think SC" he said. "Bu
the obstinate self-wll Of the boy is so firmly
inrooted-"
That you can never tear it up by force
spoke out the friend "The only way is to weak
en- its vital currents, to cut off the flow Of lifi
and let it wither for lack of sustenance ani
die"
" Perhaps you are right said Mr. Som.
ers, in a trobled uneasy way But wha
am to do now? gave him half an hou
in which to do an errand laid my command.
on him and enforced them by threats of pun
shment Is my word to go for nought
Shall boy defy me2'
A fash of anger cleaned over the father
face
: "Gently, patiently, forgivingly deal wit
the offender" replied the neighbor, as h
! laid his hand on the arm of Mr.. Somers.-
" Let love rule, not anger. Is he all to blame
No. Does not the origin of the wrong Ii
most with yourself2 Has it not grown ou
of your unwisc discipline? Begin correction
at the source First get in a right attitud
yourself, and then bring him right. As yol
provoked dlsobedience in the present case
restrain the furnishing arm"
" But l shall forfeit my word"
You will do that even if you punish"
How so ?"
You will hardly 60 to within an inch c
the boys life. You were angry and beyon
yourself. Take counsel of reason, now. Pas
sion and pride are blind impulses aud sure t
= lead us from the right path. Think ava
from your present unhappy boy, and let lov
! for him prompt you to seek only his good
= He is afar off from you now draw him nea
4 even within the circle Of a tenderly embra,
: : ing arm. That is your duty, my friend FL
> ter into it and all will be we'll"
! The neighbor, after saying this, retire,
leaving Mr.. Somers to the companionship {
his own thoughts. There was now a weigh
4 Of concern on the fathers heart. Anger ha
Q given place to a troubled feeling. He DIRE
out his watch as the half hour period adyanC
If ed to a close, looked at the time, and the
. from the window, anxiously. If RichaT
4 had appeared in the distance, what a sense
q relief it would have produced. But thei
!. was no sign Of the returning boy.
a "Wifully disobedient Defiant !" Th
y indignant man said this as hot blood began
4 burn in his face. " Perverse, unhapp,
,. wrongly governed boy !" This was the fail
Il er speaking in reply and struggling to hol
q anger in check.
g The half hour expired. Richard was sti
c away. Another half hour elapsed and y,
q he was absent.
He shall be punished for this said NJ
c Somers, as indignation gained the master.
a Then the remembrance of the wise wore
a spoken by his neighbor pressed back the tic
of indignation and he let pity move oy'
a the troubled surface Of his feelings and cal
4 them like oil.
o A whole hour beyond the limit of time hl
passed Mr,Somers was growing uneasy.
Il flashed across his mind that Richard, in
r of anger, rebellion and discouragement, mig
# have been tempted to run off He remember,
very distinctly how, once, in his boyish trou
- les at home, he had meditated the same thin
}. aud actually commenced preparations to aba
o don father and mother and try his fortunes
z the world.
n AT the end of the second hour, Mr.. Sol
ers was in a very anxious state and he W
IF about making preparations to 90 out in scar
e of Richard, when, on glancing from the wi
IT dow, he saw him pass in hurried, stealtl
II way. He stood listening to hear him ent'
3 The door opened silently. Tip-toe ste
sounded family along the passage. Mr.. Sol
4. ers followed them with his ears, but lost the
!. on the stairs.
e "What shall do?" That was the difict
# question for Mr.. Somers. He stood for sc
10 eral minutes trying to get his thoughts Gle
N and his feelings calm. Thus far, his har
N methods had proved wholly fruitess. Threa
,e and punishment wrought no salutary reform
,e the boy grew worse instead of better. WI
this was SO, clearer perception now told hiI
N Z" Poor boy" he said with sigh; and ii
10 very utterance of a sentiment of pity help
him to more plying state of mind. A
r, image of fear and suffering, instead of hal
N defiance and reckless disobedience, took di
is tinct form in his thoughts.
le "Now is the time to reach him with gentl
D. ness and love" As Mr. Somers thus spoil
At with himself, he opened the door and we
n out into the passage.
"Did you see Richard % he asked, spea
rs ing to domestic who happened to be there
W the moment.
No sir" she replied.
Il thought he came in just now"
is " [ did not notice him, sir"
r Mr. Somers went TO the foot Of the stat