Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1871-05-05
SELECTED STORY.
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THE MOTHERS RESOLVE.

Many things which you have till now
INDUCED in, will frcm this time, be entirely
changed. | shall be changed. | shall
rot be the same mother that | was a
week ago, but I trust better one. Annie
and William, speak seriously to you +; you
are both old enough to understand me. Il
you fall in the right way at once, it will
save me trouble and make mo very happy"
.'Mother," said Willie, looking at her in
wonder, Pm almost glad at what you have
been saying love you better than you
think for and am not half SO bad as you
suppose | am but somehow the naughty
feelings always seemed to come because you
let them. I've told Annie fifty times that
| wished you'd make us mind
Annie said nothing for some time, but
seemed to be in deep thought At last she
said, GIVE often wished that could be like
Annie Weston, but don't know how am
ever going to learn to be good. [ know
1 shall be cross and angry fifty times'a day;
| can't help it.
There is some one who can truly help
us all, if we truly seek His help, my chill
dren. Let us ask it now
They kneIt, and the mother, with stream
ing eyes, prayed fer that assistance which
the great Father Of all has kindly promised
to those who sincerely seek His aid The
children were unusually thoughtful, and
learned their lessons in silence. At bed
time, Mrs. Merwyn had usually asked her
children fer kiss Sometimes it was care
lessly given, sometimes not always COR
sidered rather as favor from the children.
This evening she did not ask them for a
kiss, but kindly babe Thorn good night.
| The very next morning this awakened
mother began upon her new plan. She
arose early and went to her children's room
to see that they were bathed and rubbed,
and to teach them how best to do if for
themselves, and she required them to be
ready for breakfast punctually at the hour
She excluded from the table everything
which she considered unwholesome. Some
rich, high seasoned dishes which had been
favorites were banished forever, and food
plain, yet excellent in its kind, was substi-
tuted Mrs Merwyn sent her children out
to run and play half an hour before going
to school, and then on their return, she
| fitted ul large spare room with every con-
venience for exercise when the weather
should be stormy. She examined into her
children's studies, and reduced their mum.
Der. She procured the same books, and
spent two hours a day in making herself
thorough mistress Of their contents, keep.
ing constantly little ahead of them in theil
lessons. She procurad various books o.
afference, and learned not only the text
but whatever she could find relating to it in
compends, dictionaries and encyclopedias
1t was not easy for one who had lavisheo
caresses Unfortunately, merely to CRAFTY
her own feelings or to coax them to her pur
pose, to give value in her children's eyes
to smile, caless, word Of praise, tt
make them motives and rewards for goot
conduct It was not easy to curb the stub
born and long INDUCED will, to check tht
impatient temper, to change rude manners
into respectful politeness.
The early rising and the evening prayer
had not been discontinued /; and though thu
mother devoted SO much more time than for
merly to her children, she found she hae
more leisure for household occupation, gen
eral reading, and social enjoyment, than ev
err before The energy called up for par
ticular purpose, extended itself into ever.
depa1 t1nent, and gave frmness and conf
dence to one who had hitherto been though
rather a weak woman Her friends re
marked depth and earnestness about her
which they had never observed before an'
she was gratifed to perceive an increase o
respect and consideration in all around her
Many were the struggles with her chill
dren, but still more frequent were her self
wrestlings To be firm without severity
to infict necessary pain when her hear
was overlooking With love; t teach an i'm
pulsive disposition to examine, wait ant
Weigh and finally to require the penalt..
strict Justice to inaict the exact degree o
Justice to iufict tn. exact degree Of pun
ishment which the case required all thi
demanded painful effort And still NOR
painful was it to withhold the caresses which
she had been in the habil of bestowing up
on her children whenever they would con
descend to receive them. Mrs. Merwyl
had the good sense, in forming her new sys
tenn Of discipline, to strive to aVolo haoi
of petty fault finding. Many trifes wer
passed without reproof, many disagreeabl
habits unnoticed, in hope and belief, tina
when the great principle of filial obedienc'
was established, its healthy stimulus woule
naturally produce better growth.
One evening the children had been Il, I'm
polite to each other while at supper I'M
mother took no notice At the study tabl'
Anne had her slate and pencil, which WI
lie wanted. II will have it," said Willie
81 am not going away up to my room to-
my slate and pencil, while yours is lying
here doing nothing" !,
They both seized the slate and struggled
Annie, the stronger, gained possession ;,
whereupon Willie struck her. She struci