Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1875-04-29

tbS UoS liz w do Ahoh Va uto 4dttCi
books was injuring them, and that he
must return them to the library. he
would have replaced them on the
shelves without word Of objection
There would have been, in that case,
no mental injury sustained through ex
element of a passionate temper. The
SKY of his mind would have remained
clear, and sweet peace would now be
in his heart instead of sullen rebellion.
Dear sister, child's immortal soul is
more precious than whole libraries of
costly books, or even the rich furniture
in kings palace. While we regard
his external surroundings with due
regard to order, and prevent, as well
for his sake as for others, disorder and
blind destruction, we must never forget
that the jewel is more to be regarded
than the casket A scratched table,
torn or defaced book, or even costly
thing broken, are small evils compared
with scratched, defaced or distorted
mind. Forgive me for saying it, my
sister, but | have always thought that
parents are most to blame for the bad
tempers and passionate outbreaks of
their children and this little trouble
with John only confirms the opinion.
| say it kindly may, Anna, in tender
love. Be not hurt, then, nor offended
bnt for the sake of Your bright boy,
lay up my words in your heart
The mother sat sober and thoughtful
Her sister had not spoken in vain
Truth had Weakened conviction Sud
denly rising, and kissing her sister ir
token of forgiveness, she left the room
and went to the library. John was
still lying upon the floor where he had
thrown himself He heard his mot hers
footsteps; but be did not move. Ex~
perierce had taught him that reproof,
it might be punishment, was in store
for him and so he awaited, in stub
born silence, for whatever unpleasant
consequence might come.
''Joln?" 1t was a low, soft, tender,
almost sad voice, and the word was
spoken close to his ear He started
in sudden surprise, and raised his face
from the floor
"Come, dear The voice was even
tenderer and a warm hand grasped
his with firm pressure.
'Oh, mother" The child started up
with this exclamation, and in a passion
of tears, threw his arms about her neck,
and hid his face in her bosom. Tight
Fly she held him there, and lovingly she
kissed his pure forehead
Il didn't mean to do wrong mother!"
said the boy 81 love to build houses,
and father said yesterday that if did
not hurt the books. might take some
of them.
The mother only kissed him again
and drew her arms, in token of love,
more tightly around HIM. What could
she say to words that came to her ears
| nit |, cu,.1, ontt;ne, rol,nl-o9
you love me, mother, don't you =
asked the child.
Eyes, dear, yes! Better than all
the world" was the almost sobbing
answer.
"And love you, mother And III
try to be good always. Won't you
ask father to buy me some building
blocks, and then I'll not want his
books 2
eyes. You shall have box full to-
morrow"
( you're good mother" said little
John, "only sometimes"
The child paused as if in doubt.
"Only what, dear?'
''You won't be angry ie say it, will
yous'
'.No-no, dear say on.
/ ''Only sometimes you scold me SO.
and jerk me up when | amt doing any
harm as can see. And then l get so
maI-and | can't help ii. And Tn
sorry Oh, dear, ! wish l never was
mad J.
And with half shudder, as if some
very painful idea was forced upon his
young mind, little Johnny buried his
face close down upon his mothers
bosom again, and lay there very
still.
No more words passed then between
tie mother and child, but scales had
been removed from the mothers visio:,,
and she saw that her pseci.us boy had
aercrolts feelings and right impulses,