The democrat. [volume] (Weston, W. Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-13
A HAsTY WORD.

Harry" said I, to our little fiye-year
old, twill you run and tell Bridget to
have warm biscuits for tea7n
He started quickly, and as he started his
foot caught in little stand upon which
had placed u rare Parian vase, with IL
rosebud just unfolding its crimson petals
in 1t. The stand tell over, and the vase
"a gift from my mother) was shattered.
"You naughty boy" | cried, angrily,
"you deserve to be whipped. Pick up
those pieces instantly and put them In the
coal hod. He stopped, carefully picked
up the fragments, carried them away and
was gone for some time. When he re-
turned 1t was with something tightly
clasped in his hand
Coming to me he placed flve-cent
piece 10 my hand, saying, tinidly:
"Will that buy new vase, mammal"
What evil demon possessed me to take
the sOin, his sacredly cherished treasure
kind neiElbor had given him. and throw
1t from inc know not.
Harry picked 1t up with tears running
and sat down upon his stool with his
hands folded so meekly. Presently he
said:
"Mamma may go and play with Eddy
Potter7"
~ don't care where you CO." said /,
: Grossly, "as long as you keep out of my
sight"
Harry went to the closet where his coat
and hat hung, put them on and came and
stood by my side. .Hf.U y.
Mamma, will you please forgive me :
Pm so sorryl" and he put up his lips for
o kiss. ife-
o! Godforgive me. pushed the lit
tie fellow away. He stood by the door a
moment looking pitifnlly at me. 1t is
twenty-five years ago to-day since he
stood there; but can sec him, with his
blue coat and red and gray worsted skat.
ing cap, as the little feet went slowly down
the stairs. | heard him go out and un-
fasten the gate. Looking out Of the win
dow saw the little fellow lit his face
with smile as he saw me, which gave
place to pitiful quiyer of the lips as he
saw took no notice of him. | watched
the darling down the street with strange
undefnedfeeling, tilllthe little coat and red
mittens were no longer visible. Twice a
sudden impulse moved me to call him back,
but crushed 1t down. Obi would to
God had. Well, | sewed all through
the winter afternoon. At four o'clock I
put away my work and sat by the window.
Conscience began to reproaoh me for my
conduct. 81 don't care,n said I, "my
beautiful vase Is In ruins"
What Is the value Of all the vases In
the world compared with your childl
Have you not spoken Grossly to that dear
little Harry, who is always SO cheerful and
obedienti And this Is not the first time,
either; and you call yourself a Christian
mother, too. Suppose Harry should be
suddenly taken away from you, would not
your cruel words haunt you foreverl
could bear this no longer. | rose and
picked up the stray litter about the room
to give II more tidy appearance.
Then wet to the window, peering
anxiously through the gloom, but seeing
nothing Of my boy, my heart became tor.
ribly heavy; this suspense was unbear-
able. Hastily throwing shawl over my
head, ran into Mrs. Potter's. % =
"Haye you seen Eddiel was the qdes-
ton before / entered the room.
"IIaye you seen Harryin \ q
"He was over here at half.past two
he and Eddie went over to Josie Gray's
think-" '' AZ stI. ~,
what she thought never knew, for at
that moment the door few open and Ed.