Mower County transcript., 1871-07-27
VOLUME Nv.

on her BOSOM A book lay on shelf near
where she was sitting, and Mrs. Lyon
scarcely conscious of the act, reached out
her hand for the volume. She opened ii
without feeling any interest in its contents
but she had only read few sentences
when this remark arrested her attention
All right government Of children begins
with selfgovernmcnt."
The words seemed written for her, and
the truth expressed was elevated instantly
into perception. She saw it in the clear.
est light, and closed the book and bowed
her head in acknowledgment of her own
errors. Thus Tor some time she had been
sitting, when the murmur of voices from
| below grew more and more distinct, and
she was soon aroused to the painful fact,
/ that, al usual, when left alone, the chill
! dren were wrangling among themselves
| Various noises, rs Of pounding on and
throwing about chairs, and other pieces OF
furniture, were hcasd, and at length loud
scream, mingled with angry vociterations,
smote upon her ear.
Indignation swcllcd instantly to the
heart Of Mrs. Lyon, and hurricdly placing
the sleeping babe in its crib, she started
for the sccIe Of disorder, moved by an
impulse to punish severely the young
rebels against her authority, and was half
way down the stairs, when her feet were
checked by a remembrance of the senti-
ment: "All light government Of children
begins with self government"
"Will anger subdue anger? When
storm meets storm, is the tempest stilled ?''
These were questions asked of herself, al.
most involuntarily.
This is no spirit in which to meet my
children. 1t never has, never will enforce
order and obedience" she added as she
stood upon the stairs, struggling with her
self, and striving for the victory. From
tho nursery come louder sounds of dis
order. How weak the mother felt! Yet
ia this way weakness was strength.
IL must not stand idly here" she said,
as \ sharper cry OF anguish smotc her
cars, and so she moved on quickly. and
opening the nursery door, stood revealed
to her children Julia had just raised her
hand to strike Emily, who stood confront
ing her with fiery face. Both were a lit
tie startled at their mothers sudden ap-
pearaLce, and both expecting the storm
which usually came at such time, began
to assume the defiant, stubborn air with
which her imtempcrate reproofs were al.
Ways met.
A few moments did Mrs. Lyon stand
looking at her childrcn-grief, not anger,
upon her pale countenancc. How still
all became. What look Of wonder came
gradually into the childrens' faces, as they
glanced one at the other. Something Of
shame was next visible. And now the
mother was conscious of a new power
over the young rebels of the household.
Emily" said she, speaking mildly, and
yet with touch of sorrow in her voice
! ri, 4
go up into my room, and sit with Mary
while she sleeps"
Without sign of opposition, or even of
reluctance, Emily went quietly from the
nursery, in obedience to her mothers de.
sires.
"This room is very much in disorder,
julia"
Many times Mrs. Lyon had said, under
like circumstances, why don't you put
things to rie hts?" or, Il never saw such
girls If all in the room was topsy turvy,
and the floor an inch thick with dirt,
you'd never turn over hand to put things
in ORDER" or "Go and get the broom, this
minute, and sweep up the room. You are
the LATEST girl ever lived!" Many,
many times, as We have said, had
such language been addressed by Mrs.
Lyon, under like circumstances, to Julia
and her sisters, without procuring any
thing like even partial execution of her
wishes. Rnt now, the mild inflammation
that the room was in disorder, produced
all the effects desired. Julia went quickly
about the work of restoring things to the
right places, and in a few minutes order
was apparent where confusion reigped be-
fore. Little Tommy, whose love of ham,
mering was an incess3nt annoyance to his
mother, ceased his din on her sudden ap-
pearance, and, for few moments, stood
in expectation of q boxed ear; for a time
he stood puzzled at the new aspect of af-
fairs. Finding that he was not under the
ban, as usual, he commenced slapping a
stick over the top of an old table, making
most ear piercing noise. Instantly Julia
said, in low voice, to him:
"Don't Tommy; don't do that. You
know it makes mothers head ACHE"
Does it make your head ache, mother,
asked the child, curiously, and with a
plying tone in his voice, as he came creep
ing up to his mothers side, and looking at
her as if in doubt whether he would be
repulsed or not.
"Sometimes it does, my son." replied
Mrs Lyon, kindly, land it is always un.
pleasant. Won't You try to play without
making SO much noise -
"Yes, mother, I'll try" answered the lit
tie fellow. cheerfully. "But I'll forget
lie looked earnestly at his mother, as if
something more was in his thoughts.
Well, dear, what else ?" said she, en-
"When / forget, you'll tell me, won't
you?"
"Yes, love-"
And then I'll stop. But don't scold
me, mother, for then can't STOP"
The mothers heart was touched. She
caught her breath and bent her head down
to conceal its expression until it rested on
the silken hair of her child.
"Be good boy, Tommy, and mother
will never scold you any more" she muir
INJURED gently in his car.
His arms stole upward, and as they
were twined closely about her neck, he
pressed his lips tightly against her cheek,
thus sealing his part of the contract with
a kiss.
How sweet to the mothers taste were
those first fruits of selfcontrol. In the
effort to govern herself, what power had
she acquired In stilling the tempest of
passion in her own bosom, she had poured
the oil Of peace over the storm-f frett:d
hearts of her children.
Only INC 1lret fcultS were there. In all
her after life dil that mother strive with
herself, ere she entered into contest will
the inherited evils of her children, and
just SO far she was able to overcome evil
in them. Often, very often, did she fall
back into old states, and often, very often,
was elf:resistance only slight effort, but
the feeble influence for good that flowed
from her words or actions whenever this
was SO, warned her Of her old error, and
prompted more vigorous self.control
Need it be said, that she had all abundant
rcwardY
A Key to q Persons Name.