Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1871-08-29


A long sigh quivered up from the OPP
pressed heart of Mr.. Somers
"lf could only think so," he said.
"But the obstinate self will 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 weaken its vital currents, to cut
off the flow of life, aud lei it wither Tor
lack OF sustenancc. and die"
Perhaps you arc right said Mr.. Som.
ers, in a troubled, uneasy way "But
W hat am to 10 now ?" | gave him half
! an hour in which TO do an Grand; laid
my commands on him. and enforced
them by threats of punishment Is my
word to 90 for nought? Shall n boy dc
fy me?"
/ A flash OF anger cleaned over the IA
Tiers face.
"Gcnty, patiently, forgivingly deal
with the oifcuder,' replied the neighbor,
rs he laid his hand on the arm OF Mr..
Somers LET love rule, not anger. Is
he all TO blame? No. Does not the or
! igin of the wrong lie most with yourseli?
Has it not grown out OF your unwise dis
cipline? Begin correction ut the source
First get in right attitude yourself, and
then bring him right. As ,ou provoked
disobcdcnce in the pi esent case. restrain
TIE furnishing arm"
''But shall forfeit my word"
You will do that even il YOU punish :,
"IIow SOP
You will hardly 60 To Within m inch
OF The boys lie. You were angry, and
went beyond Yourself Take counsel Of
reason. now Passion and pride are
! blind impulses, and sure To lead us from
the right path. Think away from your
present unhappy relation TO the unhappy
boy. and let love for him prompt you
to seek only his good. He is afar off
from YOU now draw him near, even with
in the circle ofa ienderly embracing ann.
That is your duty. my friend. Enter in
to 1t, and all will be we'll"
The neigllbor, after saying his, retired,
leaving Mr. Solners TO the companionship
oi his own thoughts There was now a
weight ot conccln on the fathers heart.
Anger had given place to a troubled feel
! ing. He drew ont his watch as the half
hour period advanced Ia II close. looked
| al the time. and then from the window,
anxiously II Richard had appeared in
would have produced. But there was no
sight of the returning boy.
"Wilfully disobedient Defiant" The
indignant man said this, rs hot blood be
| can to burn in his face. '.Pcrversc. I'M
happy, wrongly governed hoy This was
the father speaking in reply and strn9-
| Cling to hold anger in check.
The half hour expired Richard was
still away Another halt hour aud yet
he WAS absent
"lIc shall be punished lor this ?" said
Mr.. Soners. Is Indignation gained the
mastery Then remembrance oi the
wise words spoken by hi: neighhor pass.
cd back the tide OF indiguation and he
let pity move over the troubled surface
of his feelings and calm them like oil.
4 whole hour beyond the limit of time
had passed. Mr.. Somers was growing
uneasy II flashed across his mind that
Richard, in n fit OF anger, rebellion. and
discouragement, might have been tempt
ed 10 run off. lie remembered very dis
tinclly how, once in his boyish troubles
ut home he had mcditated the same thing
and actually commenced preparations 10
abandon father and mother and try his
fortune in the wide world.
At the end of the second hour, Mr.. Som
erS was in II very anxious state and he
was about making preparation to go out
in search OF Richard when on glancing
from The window he saw him pass in u
hurried steallhy way. He stood listen
ing to hear him enter. The door opened
slightly Tip toe steps sounded family
along The passage. Mr. Somers followed
them with his ears but lost them on the
stairs
"What shall do ?" That was the diff
fcult question for Mr.. Somers. He stood
for several minutes trying 20 get his
thoughts clear and his feeling calm.
Thus far his harsh methods had proved
wholly fruitless. Threats and punish.
ment wrought no salutary reforms: the
hoy grew worse instead OF better. Why
this clearer PERCEPTION now told him.
Poor boy? ?" he said with sigh: and
this very utteiancc Of u sentiment of pity
helped him to a more plying state of
mind. Am image of fear and suffering
instead of defence and reckless disobed-
ience. took distinct form in his thoughts.
Nov 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
'sDid YOU sec Richard ?" he asked,
speaking TO domestic who happened TO
be there at the moment.
"No sir,n she replied
al thought he came in just now"
81 did not notice him sir"
Mr.. Somers went To the front Of the
stairway and called, Richard not harsh
ly, but kindly
No answer came.