Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-05-05
.ck again The mother had observed

Her voice was deep and sad, but calm
and resolved. They did not dare to disc
bey. Each, however, according to custom
began to accuse the other in very strong
terms.
"Be SILENT" said then other Her voic'
was lower and slower than usual, yet it was
obeyed "Anne, look me in the face, ant
tell me every circumstance of this quarrel
see that you tell it exactly" Anne fell
that she must tell the exact truth and she
did so.
.Willie, now let me hear your account
I Willie stated the fact exactly.
''My children" said the mother, "you
are both to blame You both deserve pun
ishment but long for the time to come
when we need not resort to punishment. =
Yesterday, for one fault you forfeited a
pleasant ride, which your uncle had offered
/ to give you. Last evening was obliged
to put you in separate rooms, and sit here
'lone by myself This morning you each
received five severe strikes on the hand. 1t
is painful for me to punish you but this
fault must be atoned for. Sit down at op-
posite sides of the table and think. See if
you cannot devise some way of getting
long this time without punishment
Mother" said Willie, know what you
mean but it is the very worst punishment
I could have. Must [ ask sisters pardon T"
He looked at Anne, and she at him. He
was naturally Of a generous disposition,
and there was something in his sisters
countenance which touched a chord long
unused to vibrate.
Anne" he stammered out, Il do beg
your pardon. Will you forgive me? was
most in the wrong
II did wrong. too," said Anne.
Mother, will you forgive us p said they
both with one impulse.
II will" said she. CHOW 60 10 your
lessons" 1
She was obliged to go to another room to
conceal her emotion at this first conquest of
her children over themselves this FIRST fruits
of her new system of training. 'Help me,
O, help me to persevere p
And in the prayer with her children, be-
fere retiring to rest, she thanked Him for
putting good, kind and gentle thoughts into
their young hearts; and prayed that this
spirit might grow more and more, until
Love should III
5ii Through all their actions rum
That night the children looked. and lin
gered before retiring to rest, as if in want
| of something; but no kiss, no caress, was
offered by their mother, though her heart
vas yearning for it,
The next day was passed without the call
for punishment: The evening was cheerful
and happy When Willie had looked ten
minutes in vain to find certain place in
the south OF Europe. on the map, his moth
er came and pointed it out to him, giving
him at the same time some interesting par
ticulars of his history aud principal manu-
features ''Thank you, mother" said Will
lie chow much do you know!"
Anne had piece Of poetry to commit to
memory, in which Gree and Cyclops, and
the Syrens were mentioned.
"How many thousands such make believe
beings our books are full Off exclaimed
she. "Where did the stuff all come from
Don't you think it all nonsense to study
about them mother p
Mrs. Merwyn took the opportunity briefly
to explain the ancient mythology. She
gave short account of Homer, repeating
Byrons beautiful lines, and afterwards a
little sketch OF Ulysses, as detailed in the
Odyssey.
"How interesting" said Anne. :'How
should like to read the Odyssey. After
all, though I don't believe word Of these
old stories it must be very pleasant to know
all about them for we are meeting with
| something Or other about them in almost
every book we see"
That evening the children seemed more
closely drawn to their mother than ever be-
tore Her steady government, and her
newly discovered stores Of information, had
raised her wonderfully in the opinion of her
children, and their love seemed to keep
pace with their respect And this evening
her manner had been so kind, her voice s.
gentle she had given up her own occupa
tons to attend to them she had refused a
pleasant invitation in order to pass the eve
ming with them But bedtime came The
children looked wistfully at their mother
At last, Willie said, "Mother, you never
kiss us now. Won't you kiss us to-
night?"
Eyes, my children This has been e
happy day to me, because you both have
been good children" Upon this, she kiss
ed them fondly.
won't you always kiss US when you
think we have been good enough ?" saio
Willie, land then we shall know what you
think about it.
"Yes, 1 will, Willie"
"Mother," said Anne, ''when is father
coming home p
'sIn week.
II thought. said Anne, hesitating, :'tha
father always governed Children. Father
never governs u.s.
Mrs. Merwyn took that opportunity Of
explaining to her children how dearly thei
father loved them, how constantly he exert
ell himself for their welfare, how worthy he
was Of their highest respect and love ane
how much he would be gratified if they
should strive in every way to improv,
themselves. .
The week passed happily away. Th.
children finding they could gain no end by
opposing their own will to the determination
of their mother, ceased attempting it, while
their judicious praise, whenever they really
deserved it, gave them pleasure so new
and sweet as greatly to stimulate their eff
forts and increase their love.
On the expected evening, just at tea
time, the father came. The room was
bright and clean. The fire was blazing
Extra lights burned on the mantle. A lit
tie feast was spread upon the table. The
lessons had been learned before hand, and
the books put away The mother had on 8
handsome new cap, and the children had
asked narmission to nut on their holiday