Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-01-28
Grandpa's Scar.

One beautiful sunny afternoon, n little
rosy-cheeked boy Of six years sat on the
floor in his graudlathcrs library, quietly
playing with his toys. Now and then be
would glance up at bis grandfather, as the
old man tried TO amuse him but all at ouce.
az q sudden ray Of light rested on his fore.
head, the chid's attention seemed fixed and
his eyes bcamcd with the new discovery be
bad made Itwas moment before he cx-
claimed, What's that great scar on your
forehead, grandpa 2"
" Don't you know, Arthur 2' said his
grandfather.
No, sir; but, want to know very
much"
Very well, my little boy gather up
your toys, if you have finished playing,
and by that time your father will be home;
| think he can tell you best, for he knows
all about it,
Arthur was an obedient little child; so
be went to work at once to do as be was
bid; and just as he laid by the last toy
the door opened, and bis father came in to
supper.
With a quick bound, Arthur ran to him,
and all eagerness, said, "Oh papa tell
me about that scar on grandpas forehead,
won't you2 He says you know all about
it,"
" Yes, my son, will just as soon as
cat my supper, for it is quite long story,
and want you to think Of it aud Jet it
teach you the lesson it did me"
The supper hour never seemed so long to
Arthur before but at last it was over,
and he jumped into his fathers lap, all at
tention for the history Of the scar.
So my boy wants to know how that
scar came on grandpas forehead. A good
many years ago, when | was little boy
Just your age, was seated on the aoor 10
this very room one day, busily engaged in
putting together a handsome train Of cars
that had been given me as a present on my
birthday. had been cross and ill.natured
all day, and Of course thought every one
else was SO too but, in fact, | was the only
one, aud in consequence made myself un-
comfortable and unhappy. While in this
mood, worrying and fretting over my cars
because they wouldn't 60 together just as |
wanted to have them, grandpa asked me to
bring him a book from the table. 1t was
but a small favor to ask, bnt did not wish
to be disturbed, and therefore refused to do
it. Grandpa always obliged me to obey
him at Uuue, and he told mo if | did not DO
so now, he would punish me and make me
put away my toys for the rest Of the day
was naughty and stubborn, and would not
stop to do the errand SO grandpa pun
ished me and then stood by me as he made
me pick up my toys. | was very angry,
and, as | had a quick temper, | did not
stop to think what l was doing A very
wicked spirit filed my heart and thoughts
as hastily caught up one Of the cars and
threw it, with all the strength had, directly
at grandpa's head 1t struck him sharp
blow, cutting a deep cash 10 his forehead :;
aud in moment | saw the blood trickling
down his face, and he cried out so sorrow
fully, Oh, my son, what have you done
What grandpa thought | don't know, but
am sure the paiu from the cut was not half
as severe as the pain that filed his heart
when be thought how wicked | had been.
UTAulllA stul INC iut Aue uDtiUTs anu
went, almost fearing to return lest | should
be told that l had killed my father. The
doctor came and dressed the wound, but for
many days grandpa had to 60 about with
his head bandaged. As | looked at him and
thought how had struck him, oh how
much would have given had lnever raised
my hand but had, and there waS the mark.
One day | went to him full of sorrow for the
deed, and, as l asked his forgiveness, asked
too, if that dreadful scar would never 90
away. No. my son. said he; but when you
look at it, remember what it was that made
you strike me, how your wicked heart led you
to do such an act and when you feel your
anger rise, stop long enough to think how
easy it is, if we don't control our passions,
to leave marks Of our anger that can never
be washed out
" Now | hope little Arthur will remem-
Der this unfortunate experience Of mine, 50
that he may never be guilty Of deed that
will cause him as many sad hours as this
scar of grandpa's has made for me"