Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-11-10

Good HEunaor.
Perhaps 10 the parents and teachers knew
how the children sometimes speak of them
IL would have salutary effect upon their
tempers. Unfortunately, however, they do
not SEQ themselves as others see them and
they comfortably suppose that though they
are irritable and petulant, the children are
\ still loving and respectful. 1t is great
mistake. The love of children is only TO
be gained In the same way as that of other
people. We must win their esteem by mer-
II, Kindness and courtesy, or 1t will not be
ours at all. There was once an ill-temper-
ed man who failed TO understand this. lie
was often irritable and impatient, Seeding
and Furnishing his children, sometimes, at
least, when they felt that they did not de-
serve 1t, and yet he expected the same love
from them that other fathers who were rea-
sonable and uniformly kind secured. One
day he happened TO hear his little boy
speaking out OF The fullness OF his heart.
II wish we could change fathers" he
said. "Your father is 50 Jolly, he always
seems ready TO play with you or do any
thing 10 make you bsppy."
"Of course, all fathers do that" said the
other boy. doesn't yours?"
"Ho, indeed he does not. MY father Is
nearly always tired and has the headache.
So mother says, but believe it is only his
i1-hamor. He comes home with frown
on his face, and then we scarcely dare call
our noses our own. he thrashes us, too,
sometimes, and nobody likes that"
"But you deserve it, 1 suppose and If
you do, the least thing he has right to ex-
pect of you is that you should take your
thrashing In a manly way"
"But do not always deserve what get,
and neither do the others. Only this morn
Ing he punished me for telling lie."
"served you right. too."
$50 1t would have done II had told the
lie but did not"
at was mistake, then?"
"Yes. it was a mistake, but il was such a
one as our father oflen makes. 1 think he
ought 10 take the trouble to learn the truth
before he proceeds 10 punish us. When 1
am man 1 will try 10 be less unjust and
ill-tempered than he."
The father, who thus heard his duty
pointed out 10 him by his son, felt exceed
ingly grieved and uncomfortable. He did
not know that he had been unreasonable
and unjust, though, as the boy had said,
he had taken very little pains TO ascertain
the truth. He had never doubled but that
he had the esteem and love OF his children,
for they were always respectful aud obedi-
ent 10 him, and he supposed that the NOV
ing power was love. He discovered now
that he had been mistaken, and that they
were only docile because lhoy were afraid
TO be otherwise, and that there was really
very little true affection In their hearts for
him. And when he asked himself how
this was, the reason was not difficult 10 find.
He was not a Grunkard who neglected to
provide for his children. He was Chris
tian man, industrious, painstaking and
thoughtful. He took care that they were
always well-dressed, and that they attend
ed good school, where they would be fit
ted for their future work. He did not neg
lect their religious education, nor fail TO SO.
cure proper advantages for them in all re-
spects. Indeed, the more he thought of il
the more he convinced himself that he was
almost a model father. The only thing that
was wrong about it was that he was often
in ill-humor. He saw, however, how this
one thing interfered with his Influence,
and he resolved 10 conquer il II he could,
that lie might have the love and esteem Of
his children. Aud he did that which he
aimed 10 do, by simply keeping a smile on
his face instead OF frown, aud letting his
voice speak in CHEEKY tones instead of per-
pelually grumbling aud finding fault.
There was lady who was really very
kind TO her servants. She paid them bet
ter wages than most other people did, and
was far more anxious for their comfort
than her neighbors wero for that of their
domestics. She saw that there was little
treats for them now and then, that their
rooms were well furnished and their holl-
days not shortened. She provided them
with good food and plenty OF it, aud furn-
ished shelf with amusing and instructive
books. And yet her servants neither stayed
long with her nor spoke we'll OF her when
they LEFT. How was III There was but
one reason. She did not possess that good
humor without which the wheels of a house,
hold cannot run smoothly.
Some people seem TO think that children
need angry words and hard blows before
they will do right. But, indeed, they need
nothing of the kind. What they want is,
gentleness mingled with firmness, for this
will encourage them and make things go
more easily. Let those who wish TO be
useful try the effect OF a sunny temper.
GoOd-humored people are a blessing in the
world; and those who endeavor 10 wear
SMILES always will makethe happy discov-
cry that everybody will be glad TO see their
faces. Therei is enough sorrow and sadness
without increasing the bulk. Let us on the
contrary, keep serene, even though there
are disturbing Influences roundabout us.
II We are cheerful and brave, others will
take heart when they see us and the chill
dren especially will learn, as they should,
not 10 be irrltsted because adverse cIrcum-
stances are around them, but to be strong
and therefore at peace.--M, Y. Witness.
A prassino hnsjnaas oidar pnakinr