Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1881-10-13
DECEIYING CHILDREN.

| friend, and never did see more systematic
house. wife, and what then seemed to me, one
who had so quiet and complete control of hel
child. But the secret of the latter l soon
learned. One evening she wished to spend
with me at neighbor's. 1t was small 60
cial gathering of friends, therefore she was
very desirous of attending; but her child de
manded her presence with him, and hearing
him say his prayers, she said: -
"Willie, did you not see that pretty little
kitten in the streets to day?"
"Yes, 1 did," he replied. 81 wish I had
her wasn't she pretty?'
"Yes, very. Now, don't you want me to
buy the kitty for you? Perhaps the man
will sell her."
20, yes, mother; do buy her."
"Well, then, be good boy while am
gone" Thus saying, she closed the door, but
he Immediately called her back:
"Don't 60 till morning then l can 60 with
you. Won't you stay?"
mo, Willie the man won't sell it if I don't
60 tonight, so be a good boy"
He said no more, but quietly lay down. .
lis this the way you govern your child r
said I, after we had gained the streets. 'lf
you but knew the injury you are doing, you
would take different course"
"Injury!" ]" che repeated. "Why what harm
have done! I did not tell him would see
the mani only said if should"
"But you gave him to understand that you
would. He is not old enough to detect the
difference now, but he soon will be. Then l
fear you will perceive your error too late.
You have yourself grated thorn in the
young rose, which will eventually pierce you
most bitterly. You cannot break off the
thorn, or club the point, to makeit less pierc-
ing. On your return be will not see the kit
ten therefore, you will have to invent anoth-
er falsehood to conceal the frs"
We had now gained our friends door, which
ended our conversation. During the evening
she seemed gayer than usual. My words had
little or no effect upon her. She did not think
her little one was doing all he could to keep
awake to see the coveted kitten on her return,
wondering what made "mother gone 80 long"
1t was late ere reminded her that we ought
to return. But little was said during the
homeward walk. She went noiselessly into
the room, supposing her boy asleep; but he
heard her and said:
Mother, is that you? Have you brought
the kitten? I kept awake to see it, and was
so sleepy" ... :,
"No, my dear the man would not sell
her."
"Why won't he, mother?" he asked with
quivering lips.
81 don't know. I suppose he wants her to
catch rats and MICE"
"Did he say so, mother"
HE did not say just that. but thought he
meant so"
II did want it so bad, mother"
The little lips quivered, and the tears start
ed to his eyes. He rubbed them with his lit.
tie hands, winking fast to keep them back,
but they would come. At last he fell asleep
with the pearly drops glistening on his rosy
cheeks. The mothers glistened also. AS
she knelt to kiss them away, he murmured
softly in his broken slumber, II did want it
so bad." a.. ....
She turned her dewy eyes to me, saying,
"You have led me to see my error. Never
will I again, let what will be the consequence,
deceive my child to please myself"
Mother, are you practicing the same decep-
ton? If you are, pause and think of the
consequences ere it is too late. Does it not
lessen your confidence in person when you
find out that they have been deceiving you
Will it not also diminish that of your chill
dren in you, when they become old enough to
detect it? Besides, it would be very strange
if they themselves did not initiate you in
things of greater Importance.
1t is the pride and joy of mothers heart
to gain and retain the entire confidence of her
child, and it is in her power to do so, if she
but exercise that power by precept and ex-
ample.-N Y. Independent.
The FoRaER's FoLLY.-How often the