The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1883-08-11
THE BOY WHO BROKE THINGS.

THE BOY WHO BROKE THINGS.
1t seemed that Geof' was the most
unfortunate boy in the world, for he
was nearly always in trouble. And vet
he was not exactly a bad boy. for he
did not wish to displease his mother and
father, and was a 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.
Il 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 | took hold of plate. [
think it must have been cracked; but.
at all events, it came in two in my
hand, and of course | got the blame of
breaking it. 1t 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
starve me a little, and then, perhaps,
you would not have to call me a break
ING boy"
Before Geoff's mother could answer
sister spoke.
lit is very well for you to try to dis
pose of the matter in that way" she
said; :" but surely you know that it is not
your strength, which is in fault. -
81 don't know. Let me prove it to
you,n said Geoff. ''Look here, l take
up this doll"
Geoff was interrupted by scream.
His little sister Annie flew to the rescue
of her favorite.
80 Geoff, put down that doll! be-
lieve if you only look at her she will
break. Now see, she is broken"
Annie began to cry, and poor Geoff
looked sheepish. But he tried to COM
fort his little sister, and wished fervent-
ly that he had half a crown in his peck
ct at the moment to give her.
Il declare ] 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 | had doll
she should be strong"
Nothing but an iron doll would do
for you" said Annie, resentfully; land
| believe you would contrive to break
that, somehow or other"
"NOw don't be cross, Annie. A
broken arm is not nearly as bad as a
broken head; but is it not strange that
| can not touch thing without break
ing it?''
That is not quite the case,' said
Geoff's mother. ''You 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
strong hands, and you use unnecessary
force Only this morning, when you
took my arm in the garden, you seized
it as if it were something that would
slip away, or something heavy that
needed all your power to retain it. If
my arm had been soft, | am not sure
that also would not have been broken"
go, mother, am sorry. Did | really
hurt SouP"
"a little, Geotr; but | did not mind
it, and | only speak of it in hope that
you may be careful in the FUTURE
81 declare" said Nellie, THAT if
Geoff catches hold of my arm when we
are at play, it is always black and blue
for day or two afterwards"
Nonsense, p" said Geoff; but he looked
sorry and panied.
81 am sure, mother, something must
be DONE" he said, presently; ''you must
put me on short commons, and then,
perhaps, shall get thin and weak"
"But, my boy, do not want you to
get thin and weak. Strong hands are
needed in this world. and l hope yours
will do some good and useful work
when you are little older. You must
try to cultivate a kindly heart and a
thoughtful spirit, and then you will
know in 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
Poor Geoff did 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 go up and gather the APP
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