Smyrna times., 1875-10-13
Mark Twain's Advice on Domestic
Discipline.

| morning. ou can sometimes thOuph sol
dom, bring them up in the morning bv
yelling at them, but the effectiveness of the
process diminishes with its repetition.
even when not entirely neutralized bv the
chlldren's trick of stopping their ears with
the bed clothes. The only prompt, effec-
tive and absolute method is to bring them
up by the hair. If your child has a good
healthy scalp, without any tendency to
badness, this method will work with the
most gratifying efficiency. Try it about
once week, and you will be surprised 70
observe how its influence will extend
through the six days, inspiring YOUR child
with the liveliest possible interest in the
respondent pageantry of sunrise. The
pulling up of darling child by the hair
requires the exercise of energy and firm.
ness; but no affectionate parent will hesitate
at the little sacrifice of this for the welfare
of his offspring.
Nothing can be more fatal to your disci
pline than to allow your children TO contra.
dict you. If you happen to be BETRAYED
INTO any mis-statements or exaggeration in
their presence don't permit them to correct
you. Right or wrong, you must promntlv
suppress all opposition, with force if need
be- The moment you permit them to
doubt your unerring wisdom you will begin
to forfeit their respect and pander to their
concelt. There can be no sadder sight than
a parent surrounded with olive branches
who think they-know more than he docs
wildly remember how my father-wbo
was the most rigid and successful of dis. |
cipllnarlans-quelled the aspiring egotism
that prompted me to correct his caraless
remark (when he was reckoning a problon,
IN shillings) that five times twelve was
Slxty-two anda half $50" said he. lool,inc
over his spcctacles and surveying mo
grmly, "ye think ye know MORN vour
father, bey? Come ere to mel" His in.
was too pressing to be declined.
and for few cxcruciating moments 7
reposed in bitter humiliation across his left
knee, with my neck in the embrace of his
left arm.
didn't see him demonstrate his matbe.
matical accuracy with the palm of his right
hand on the largest patch on nv trowscrs.
but felt that the old man was right. and
when, after completely eradicating nv faith
N the multiplication table, he askedme how
much five times twelve was, replied. with
ears III my eyes, that it was sixty.two and
lalf
That's right said he. "I'n learn Won
o respects your father if l have to thrash
'ou twelve times day. Con water them
losses, and be lively, too ~ The old zen.
leman didn't permit my respect for him to
vane much until the in1amatory rheuma-
Ism disabled him, and even then he con.
lnued to inspire me with awe until 7 wos
thoroughly convinced that his disability
vas permanent.
unquestioned obedience is the crowning
race OF childhood. When you tell vour
mia to do anything and he stops to inquire
'hy, 1t Is advisable to kindle but firmly
etch HIM rap across the ear and inform
nm that's why!" He will soon get in
he way OF starting with charming alacrity
t the word of command.
One of the most inveterate and annovino
rats OF children is inquisitiveness. If Won
re conslderate enough to attempt to satisfy |
helr omnlferous curiosity, you may as well '
repare to abdicate, for you will be non.
fused by their questions a dozen times n
ay, and your sagacity will be hopelesslv ]
ompromlsed. An average child is maya K
ne OF unconquerable and Disconnected I
You cannot expect a child t.
nave much reverence for parent whose 2
they can expose twice out of a
lree times trying. 1t is well enough to a
nswer an easy question now and then lust b
convince them that you can when Won
moose; but when they come at you with a
oser, tell them. go, never mind /" or
shut up!" and they will grow up indie. u
endent and sslf-reliant, and restrained =
My by veneratiOn from splitting you open .
to hnd out how you hold so much infor- :,
ation without letting more of it out. :,
1t would be difficult-very difficult-to =:
tlmate the beneficial effects that would
entaiied upon, their children if parents :,
'nerally would adopt the method here =,
lguely intimated.