The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1883-09-06
THE BOY WHO BROKE THINGS.

Il
THE BOY WHO BROKE THINGS.
It seemed that Geoff was the most
unfortunate boy in the world, for he
was nearly always in trouble. And yet
he was not exactly bad boy. for he
did not wish to displease his mother and
father, and was greal deal happier
when they praised than when they
blamed him. Sometimes, when he sat
down to think, which was not often,
he tried to find out the reason of his mis-
fortunes, and one day he thought. he
had it.
II am too strong he said "That
is what is the matter with me. As soon
as | touch thing it seems to break.
Only to-day I took hold of plate. i
think it must have been cracked; but,
at all events, it came in two in my
hand, and of course I got the blame Of
breaking it. Tt must be because am a
great strong fellow. Fred is different;
he would not have broken the plate if
he had held it for an hour. but then he
has no strength at all in his hands.
Mother, the best thing you can do is to
starYe me q little, and then, perhaps,
you would not have to call me break
ing boy 2
Before Geoff's mother could answer
sister spoke. @
cit is very well for you to try to dis
pose of the matter in that way" she
said; I" but surely vou know that 1t is not
your strength, which is in fault"
81 don't know. Let me prove it to
you," said Geoff. ''Look here, / take
up this doll"
Geof was interrupted by scream.
His little sister Annie flew to the rescue
of her fayorite.
80 Geoff. put down that doll! Tbe9
GeEe if you only look at her she will
break. Now see, she is broken"
Annie began TO cry, and poor Geotf
looked sheepish. But he tried to COM
fort his little sister, and wished fervent-
1ly that he had half a crown in his peck
AT the moment to give her. BE
Il declare I only gently tried to
straighten the dolls arms, and one of
them must needs come out directly. 1T
is too bad that the dolls arms should be
made soft. and weak. If I had doll
she should be strong' t2as sia
81 Nothing but an iron doll would do
for you" said Annie, resentfully; land
[ believe you would coftTive to break
that, somehow or other.l' 7a4
Nov don't be cross, Annie ii
broken arm is not nearly as bad as a
broken head; but is il not strange that
| can not touch thing without break
ing itP'' W @2H
THAT is not quite the case" said
Geoff' s mother. ssYou do not break
everything you touch. and suppose it
is only the fragile things that come to
grief. But you need to practice gentle
ness, my boy. You have, large and
force. Only this morning. when you
took my arm in the garden, you seized
it as if it were something that would
slip away, OF something heavy that
needed all your power. to retain it. If
my arm had been soft, I am not sure
that also would not have been broken. :
20, mether, am sorry. Did I really
"A little, Geof; but j did not mind
it, and I only speak of it in hope that
you may be careful in the future.a'
81 declare said Nellie, 2 that #
Geof. catches hold Of my arm when we
are az play,it is always black and blue
fora day or two afterwards.
stNonsense, said Geoff; but he looked
sorry and painedaa tsss swell r..~
! 81 am sure, mother, something must
be done, = he said, presently; fvou must
put me ON short aemnmOns, and then,
perhaps, / shall get thin and weak !
But. my boy i do not want you to
get thin and weak. Strong hands are
needed in this world. and hope yours
viii do some good and,ansAful work
when you are little older. You must
try to cultivate d kindly heart and q
sthoughtfaff spirit, and then You viii
know ia time how much force is need
ed to do or to hold things / shall be
glad when that time comes, for it is
very expensive to have breaking boy
in the family. a7Aa SEE $50 f-,s,sS.
Poor GeoH lid try; but the next day
he was even more unfortunate than he
had been before--for this time he broke
himself!
He was In an apple-tree, having vol
unteered to 60 up and gather the ap-
pies; but, instead Of taking care of him.
self he went to work with all the en-
ergy and carelessness which he would
have exhibited If he had been on the
ground, and the consequence was that
he fell