The Tiffin tribune. (Tiffin, Ohio) 1868-1887, 1878-11-21
The Power Of Kindness.

Tom Here said Il father to his
boy speaking in a tone Of authority.
The lad was at play. He looked to-
wards his father; but did not leave his
companion.
"DO you hear sir" spoke the father
more sternly than at first.
With an unhappy face and a reluc-
tant step the boy left his play and ap-
preached his parent.
why do YOU creep along at 4 SnaiFS
pace?" said the latter angrily. Come
| quickly | want you. When | speak
look to be Obeyed instantly.
Here, take this note to Mr.. Smith,
and see that you don't go to sleep by
the way.
Now, run as fast Us yOu can go"
The boy took the note. There was i
cloud upon his brow. He moved
/ away, but slow pace.
You Toni is that doing as | order
ed? is that going quickly called the
| angry father, when lac saw the boy
| creeping away,
III you are not back in an hour, l
| will punish you"
But the words had but little effect.
The boys feelings were hurt by the
unkindneSs of the parent. He expert
enced a sense of injustice; acOnsclOus-
ness that wrong had been done him.
BY nature he was like his father, proud
and stubborn; and these qualities of
/ his mind were aroused and he indulged
/ in them, fearless of consequences.
| Il never saw such a boy" said the
| father, speaking to a friend who had
| observed the OccuTrence--my words
| scarcely make an impression ON him.
Kind words are often more power
| full" said the friend.
! The father looked surprised.
! kind words" continued the friend,
"are like the gentle rain and refreshing
dews: but harsh words bend and break
| like the angry tempest. They first de-
Yelup and strengthen good affections,
/ while the Others sweep over the heart
/ i'm devastation, and mar and deform all
| that they touch. Try him with kind
words. They will prove an hundred
/ fold more powerful
The father seemed hurt by this re-
proof. But it left him thoughtful. An
| hour passed ere his boy returned. At
times during his absence he was angry
at the delay: and meditated the infiic-
/ ton of punishment. But the words Of
| remOnStrance were in his ears, and he
resolved to obey them. At last the lad
! came slowly in with clOuded cOunte-
nance and reported the result of the
! errand, Having staid far beyond his
| time, he looked for d punishment, and
was prepared to receive it in spirit of
defiance. To his surprise after he de-
| IiYered the message he had brought,
the father, instead of giving angry re-
proof and punishment, said kindly,
"very well, my son. You can now go
to your play again"
The bOy went out but was not hap
DIV. He had disObeyed and disObliged
/ his father, and the thought of this
| troubled him. Kind words had not
clOuded his mind, nor aroused spirit
of reckless anger. Instead of joining
/ his companions he went and sat down
| by himself, grieying over his act of
diSObedience. AS he sat thus he heard
his name called. He listened:
Thomas, my son, said his father,
kindly. The boy sprang TO his feet and
was almost instantly by the side of his
parent.
Did YOU call, father"
Il did, my son. VIII you take this
package to Mr.. Long for me?'
There was no hesitation in the boys
manner. lie looked pleased at the
thought of doing his father a service,
and reached out his hand for the pack
age. On receiving it, he bounded away
with light step.
There is a power in kindness,
unused the father, after the lads depart
ure. And even while he sat muSing
over the incident, the boy came back,
and with a cheerful, happy face, said
''Can / do anything else for you,
fatherE
Yes, there is a power in kindness.
The tempest of passion can only sub
due, cOnstTain and break; but i'll love
and gentleness there is a power as in
the summer rain, the dew and the sun
shine.