National opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1865-1874, 1871-08-18

uuNN, NY AShs'' h''' ", "i'' W.
will be well"
The peigbbor, after saying this, retired,
leaving MI. Somers to the companlonship
of his own thoughts. There was now a
weight of concern on the fathers heart.
Anger had given place TO n troubled feel.
ing. lie drew out his watch as the hal!
hour period advanced to a close, looked at
the time, and then from the window, anx-
iously. If Richard had appeared in the
distance, what a sense Of relief 1t would
have produced. But there was no sign OF
the returning boy.
Wiltully disobcdicnt Defiant w The
indignant man said this, as hot blood began
TO burn in his face. "Perverse unhappy,
wrongly governed boyw This was the
father speaking in reply and struggling tc
hold anger in check.
The half hour expired. Richard was
still away. Another half hour elapsed,
and yet he was absent.
" lie shall be punished for this :" said
Mr.. Somcrs. as Indignation gained the mas
terry. Then a remembrance of The wise
words spoken by his nelghbor pressed back
the tide OF indignatlon and he let pity
move over the troubled surface OF his feel
ings and calm them Ike OIL.
A whole hour beyond the limit of time
had passed. Mr. Somers was growing un-
easy. 1t flashed across his mind that
Richard, in a fit of anger. rebellion, and
di>couragemnn mt, might have been tempted
to run Off He remembered very distinct
ly how, once, in his boysh troubles at
home, he had meditated the same thing,
and actually commenced preparations to
abandon father and mother, and try his
fortunes in the world.
At the end of the second hour, Mr.. Som
crs was in very anxious state; and he
was about making preparation to 60 out in
search of Richard, when. on glancng from
the window, he saw him pas. in hurried,
stealthy way. He stood, listening to hear
him enter The door opened, silently.
rip-toc steps sounded family along the
passage. Mr.. Somers followed them with
his ears, but lost them on the stairs.
"What shall do p That was the diff
ticult question for Mr.. Somers. He stood
for se> >eral minutes, trying to get his
thoughts clear and his feelings calm. Thus
far, his harsh methods had proved wholly
frutless. Threats and punishment wrought
no salutary reforms: the boy grew worse
instead of better. Why this was SO, clearer
perception now told him.
Poor boy n' he said, with sigh: and
this very utterance Of sentiment Of pity
helped him to more pitying state of mind.
An image of fear and suffering instead of
hard defiance and reckless d>obedience,
took distinct form in his thoughts.
Now is the time to reach him with
gentleness and love" As Mr.. Somers thus
spoke with himself, he opened the door
and went out into the passage.
did YOU see Richard y he asked, speak
ing to domestic who happened to be
there al the moment.
'"No sir; she replied.
81 thought he came in just now"
"I did not notice him, sir"
Mr.. Somers went to the roCt of the
stairway and called Richard 7" Not
harshly, but kindly.
No answer came.
Richard !" His voice went up louder
through the starways and passages. But
no sound, save echo, was returned.
IL am certain he came IN"
at might have been some one else"
suggested the domestic. 81 haven't seen
anything Of him for two or three hours"
Mr.. Somers went up stairs to the lads
room. The door was shut He opened it
and went in. Richard was lying on the
bed. He did not stir, but lay crouchine
and motionless, like one exhausted by
pain. His face was of an ashen hue. Mr.,
Semers noticed an expression of fear to
sweep over it, as the boys large, strangely
bright eyes turned upon him. As he ad-
vanced across the room, the fear and shrink
ing changed to something like the anguish
Of terror.
90 fatherm he said, imploringly, "don't!
don't do it now y and he lifted one arm
as if to protect himself
Mr.. Somers understood him. The ap-
peal and movement touched his feelings
deeply.
"What alls you, my son :" The fathers
voice was low, plying, and full of tender
ness.
Instantly the lines of fear died out of
the boys face. His lips quivered-tears
came brimming to his eyes.
"My arm : broken be sobbed and then
the tears came raining over his cheeks.
go Richard ~ calculated Mr.. Somers,
as he placed his hand softy on the boys
forehead. How did this happen ?"
Il couldn't get back in half an hour,
father. without running all the wav and |
telt ugly here"-laying his hand on his
brerst-" and didn't try to 90 quickly. !
went over the river, because was afraid
to come home and fell from pile of
boards"
"IIave YOU seen doctor ?" Mr. Somers
inqui, ed anXiously.
Yes, sir. They took me to the doctors
and he set my arm"
Mr.. Somers bent over his child, with his
hand tenderly pressed on his forehead for
some moments, in silence; then, as his full
| heart overran in a current of emotion, he
stopped and kissed him, murmuring: Nv
poor boy ?"
Richard did not understand all his father
meant by the exclamation but lie felt
that pity, forgiveness, and love were IN his
| heart and these were more to HIM than
his sutierings, for, in their warmth and
consolation, he forgot his pain
40 father - he said, a light falling on
his pale countenance-"lo love me and II be
good !"
oh, the power of love Anger, rebuke,
remonstrance, punishment-these are but
elements of weakness in comparison. How
like a sharp thrust from the sword of con
viction was this cry for love, sent up tc
Mr.. Somers from the heart of his wayward
self-wiled, stubborn, resistant and defiant
som
Richard" 1t was a month from the
day on which the arm had been broken
" Richard, I want you to go down to Mr.
Baird's for me right quickly"
The father spoSe kindly, yet in firm