Wyandot County Republican. [volume] (Upper Sandusky, Ohio) 1869-1903, 1873-01-02
THE INFLUENCE OF KIND
WORDS.

may have control, in any way over
children. Boys, particularly. should
be encouraged to do right, rather
from having good examples set be-
fore them, than. from fear of punish
ment, or the exercise of unkindness.
Girls, as general thing, will do
right, provided their mothers are
exemplary, and do their duty toward
them.
We once knew youth, of gentle
temper, yet of rather a wild dispo
sition. His only fault was an inor-
dinate love of mischief, and those
who had control over him. instead of
dealing leniently with him, met every
dereliction, however slight, with the
most severe censure and punishment.
This course, instead OF bettering his
condition, only made it worse. All
the baser feelings of his soul were
aroused by such treatment, and his
nature, once so mild and agreeble,
seemed entirely changed. He be-
came an outcast, and was forsaken
by his family and friends. Those
who should have been his best
friends, turned their backs upon him,
and the world, of course, looked on
with approval. Well do we remem-
ber the story of this wretched young
man and perhaps we had better give
it substantially in his own words:
"Thus deserted. and Stunned by
my relatives, 1 became reckless of
| what might be my fate. soon
learned what had to expect from
the world The conduct of my pro-
tectors was indorsed, and in vain l
sought for friend. Had not those
who knew me best cast me off? Had
they not, by that act, given the world
to understand that l was not entitled
to their confidence, and consequently
had no claim upon thei rsympathy or
protection? The children derided
me, and the dogs barked at me with
impunity. Everything seemed to
say, Hit him again-he has no
friendsp For three weary months
l subsisted in wretched garrett
with scant supply of dry bread. on
ions and water, for my lood and
drink. Not one word of kindness
greeted my ear, nor did smile light
up the countenance of any one for
me, during that period. meditated
suicide, and on one evening, when /
Tad fully intended, in my despair,
putting an end to life which had
become an intolerable burden, q
stranger addressed to me a word of
kindness. That word saved me! 1t
would have been folly to have over
whelmed me with argument or COW
cred NE with reproaches, in such a
moment as that. Heartless treat
ment had drived me to the verge Of
crimes precipice. Were you ever
there? Do you know the agony of
existing a!one-alone, and yet sur
rounded by world? Do you know
what it is to see no light, although
Heavens sun be SHINING upon you.
from his MONDAY attitude. when
turn which way you will-above, be
meath, around-all is darkness Do
you know the meaning of despair
utter, hopeless. dark despair? You
cannot know, my dear friend-you
cannot appreciate my peril at that
moment, foryo were never unloved.
A stranger met me, as was madly
hurrying to the River, to cast myself
into its angry food, and hailed me
with, My friend For an instant l
stood like one enchanted He re-
peated My friend Floods Of un-
kindness had turned my brain. One
simple word of kindness had called
me back again to earth. 1 was saw
ed can never think of that mo-
ment without a thrill of horror. 1t
was the turning point of my fate"
We will never forget the impas-
stoned language and earnest manner
of our young friend, while relating
this sketch of the bitter past He is
now an ornament to society, and the
relatives who drove him from them
with cruel severity, and thrust him
upon the brink of suicides grave,
point to him with pride, and feel
honored by claiming kindred will
him.
Parents and guardians, we repeat
should be extremely cautious how
they bestow censure and punishment
upon children. They can certainly
find something to praise in the con.
duct or acts of those under their care
"A constant dropping will wear s
stone," and "a never ceasing fault
finder" will ruin any child. Thi.
fault-fnding spirit will induce, in th,
breast Of child, feeling Of antag
onism, and principle of revenge
that will bring heart-sorrow in an,
family circle. Strive to operate up
on the "better feelings" of a child
in the correction of an error, and i
its better nature has not been de.