Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-02-16

JERKING THE REINs.

| A book has recently been written, as most
OF the readers of this paper already know,
entitled The Perfect Horse; How to
Know Him." etc.
| Much has been said and something has
been done OF late to prevent the too fire.
quent use OF the whip, both as persuader
of more rapid motion and as qualification
OF an evil temper by those having charge
OF these noble creatures; but, for my part,
have always had great sympathy - well
for those unfortunate, unofending horse
drivers-too kind-hearted, too absent
minded. or too indolent to use the whip
are constantly jerking the reins. If the
end in view were 10 destroy the temper
or break the spirit Of the animal, to make
of good racer, roadster, carriage or sad
dle-horse poor, dispirited, ambitionless
hack, this, 1 should suppose. would be
LUST the means to be used for its accom-.
plishment.
| Horses, however, are not the only crea-
lures that are afflicted in this way, and
horse-drivers are not the only persons who
so afflict
In the government Of the family there
is great deal of jerking the reins.-Many
parents, instead of controlling their chill
dren in a. reasonable way, with or with
out the rod, are continually badgering
and lecturing them. Some have way Of
bringing up the mistakes or errors OF the
past, even though as parents they had for
given and forgotten them long ago, on
the principle that they should be moaned
and howled over periodically.
There may be strong desire for the
children's well being and doing; but, just
as drivers jerk the reins, without as much
l xo1,o u
ct, SO these parents, not only unconscious
ing that they are doing their duty, jerk
the reins of parental authority.
1t is not ordinarily great sins-like in
temperance, gambling and unfaithfulness
that destroy the peace of the household
and make home SO often like the house in
to which the seven devils were entered,
for these offences are comparatively rare;
for it IS the minor transgressions and
shortcomings. The trouble Is due in num-
berless instances to the conduct ofthe hus-
band toward the wife. He forgets the
"honor" that is her due as the weaker
vessel" If his victuals are not cooked 10
his taste, if his dinner Is not ready at the
moment, if his linen is not immalculate, il
the servants are insOlent or leave without
due notice, If he has met with losses in
business. if he is kept awake nights by
the children, If almost anything occurs to
mar the peace of his existence. he is aptto
manifest his displeasure.
Among employers there is a tendency to
jerk the reins. Many a man who would
scorn to be unjust in payment OF services
rendered, even to the amount of mill, OR
who would not nse violence if he had the
opportunity and provocation of a planta
tion overseer, does great injustice to the
consciousness and general faithfulness Of
those whom he employs and Injuries their
feelings perhaps twenty times day. by
his quickness OF manner or bluntness of
speech.
Many housekeeper of culture and re-
! finement seems to forget that her servants
have necessities and weaknesses similar
to her own. that they are liable to mis-
takes and to failures in the performance
of duty, and that perfection is no more
likely to be found in the kitchen than in
the correction of faults, while they pass
by cxcellences without u word of COM.
mendation.
The "help" OF the period is far from
perfect; but it is not improved by the
constant jerking of the reins.
Teachers are too much inclined to jerk
the relns. 1hey nave smiies ana smOOtn
words for the scholars who learn easily.
who have few difficulties to overcome,
and need little sympathy of encourage
ment; and reserve their frowns and mall
edictions for those luckless wights to
whom II ladder is like an oak plank, who
are always striving and never achieving.
and who are poorly enough off with all
the device and good-natured excitement
| that a teacher can command.
Ministers, ''lkc the rest of mankind"
occasionally jerk the reins. They some
times show an inclination TO lord it over
Gods heritage. They say and even do
sharp things now and then; not for the
good that may be accomplished thereby.
but for the sake Of saying and doing them.
They seem to be fearful that some may
not be aware or may forget that they have
the Oversight OF the flock of God" Now
this jerking the reins by those in authori-
ty is not a determined and deliberate sin.
There is no ''malice prepense" in it. 1t
is rather IA habit that grows little by little,
until at length it may become intolerable.