The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1873-03-18

'''N''N
they had power tn convey The eyes Of
Mr. Somers fell away from his face. His
stern countenancc relaxed something OF
its sternness.
IA homelier, hut more strongly ex-i
pressed form of the same sen iment, is
given in the old proverb, made when
language went to irs meaning in the,
sr, rtest way: Honey catches more flies:
than vinegar Now, friend Soinerssa
having tried the vinegar for a goad;
while, and with most discouraeing re-
suits, let me suggest YOU resort to hon-s
ey In other words, change your Whole
mode Of discipline Speak kindly, and
in low firm voice to Richard, instead,
of in the buff. impel ative, querulaus az
gryanaine} III swhiciS vod almost alw5IS
address him Let him ie, ! that you ie~
ally love him; that there is soft, warm,
atta,hahle side to Your character; my
word for il he will move to your bid
ding with winged feet | have studied!
the boy. and see in him good and noiie
qualities But he has Inherited from his
ia htra ceilain iml,atience ot control,
and viii be ever on ihe alert To resist I'M
duly applied force You may lead him,
by love, anywhere; hut under the rule of
tear,you will drive him certainly beyond
your influence Forgive my plain speech.
have wished to say this before, but un-
III now, | saw no good opportunity"
The whole aspect of Mr.. Somers un-
derwent change. Conviction struck to
his heart He saw that he had been un
iI>t 10 tue hoy, unloving aud unkind :
B,ck to his own early days his thoughts
went with bound, and there came vivid
remembrances of states into which he
had been thrown by harsh treatment,
states from which no punishment, how
ever severe, could move him K,adness
bad always been to his heart like melt
ING sunshine; sternness like an icy wind.
Aud Richard was like him. How strange
tnaL he had never thought Of that be-
lore!
A long sigh qnivered up from the op-
p es,ed hear, OF Mr.. S 'merf.
''It l coull only think so,'' he said
"Bat the obstinate self will of the boy is
SO firmly inrooled."
"rhat YOU can never tear it up by
torce," spoke out his friend ''Fhe only
way is to weaken its vital current to cnt
off the flow of life, and let it wither for
the lack of sustenance. aed die !"
;, perhaps you are right" said Mr.
S ,liiers, in troubled, uneasy way
''3ut what am 10 do now? gave him
half al hour in which To do an elrand ;
laid my commands on him, a d enforced
them hy threats of punishment. Is my
word to 20 for naughr2 Shall a boy
defy mef' " y
A fash of anger cleaned over the ia
theirs face.
"Gentk, patiently, forgivingly, deal
with the oitender,' regaiea the neislihor,
"a he laid his hand on the arm Of Mr.
Somers. Let love rule, not anger. Is
he ali 10 blame No. Does not the
origin Of the wrong lie most with your
self? Has it not grown our Of your un
wise disciplined! Begin correction at the
source. First get in right attitudf
Yourself, and then bring him right As
! you provoked disobedience in the pres
eni case, restrain the furnishing arm"
s.B shall forfeit my word !"
/ ''Yon will do that even if you pnnisl
hlm.' z 0 se+ ,,F s.i..
"How so ?" eig1 a.fl s.m
~ u will hardly 90 to within an incl
of the boys life You were. angry. ant
went Beyond yourself Take counse
of reason, now. Passion and pride ar,
blind impulses, and sure to leaiius from
the right path. Think away from you
1present unhappy relations to your m
happy hov and let love for him PRONE
you to- seek only his good He is afa
off from you NOW; draw bin near, ever
within the circle of tendeily emhra
cling arm. That is your dutv,my friend
Eater into it, and all will he we'll"
The. neighbor, after saving this, re
tired, leaving Mr. Somers 10 the com
panionship of bis own thoughts. Thr
was now weight Of concern on the ia
thers heart Anger had given place II
a troubled feeling He drew out bi
watch as the half hour period advance,
to close, looked at the time and thel
from the window anxiously II Rich
lard had appeared in The distance, wha
a sense of relief it would have produ
ced But there was no sign of the re
turning boy. -
| "Willfully disobetlient! Defiant!r'-
| The indignant man said this, as lIo
blood began to hnrn his face ''Pel
verse. ..mhappy wrongly governed hoy |!
This was the father speaking in reply
and struggling to hold anger in III
cheek
The half hour expired Richard wa
still away. Another half hour elapsed
end vet he was absent.
ssHe shall be punished for thisp sal
Mr. Somers, as Indignation gained tn
mastery Then remembrance of tn
words spoken by his neiehbor presse
back the tile of Indignation; aud he Il
pity move over the troubled surface Q
his feelings and calm them like oil.
i A whole hour beyond the limit G
time had passed Mr. Somers wa
growing uneasy. 1t flashed across hi
mind that Richard, in fit of anger. re
bellion, ahd encouragement, might hay
been tempted to run off. He renem
berea very distinctly how, once. in hi
boyish troubles at home, he had med
tated the same thing, and actually con
mencet preparations to abandon iathe
and mother, and try his fortunes in til
world: .a1rg aa zssas ,tss
AT the end of the second hour, Nj
Somers was in very anxious state
and he was about making preparation
to go in search of Richard. when, o
glapcing from the window, he saw bin
pass in hurried, stealthy way. II
, stood listening to hear him enter TIL
door opened. silently. Tip toe ster
sounded family along the passage. VI
Somers followed them with his ears, br
, lost them on the stairs.
"What shall do?' That was tn
difficult question for Mr. Somers. II
stood for several minutes, trying to q
his thoughts clear and his feelings cain
Thus far his harsh methods had pro,
; ed wholly fruitiess Threats and pui
: ishment wrought no salutary feform
the hoy grew worse instead OF better.-