The Bossier banner. [volume] (Bellevue, Bossier Parish, La.) 1859-1952, 1885-09-24
JoHNNY,s POOR RULE.

H ProVeu q very Unpleasant anu Dtsa-
greeabIe One When Worked Both
Ways.
Johnny James had been growing sui
len for some time whenever he was
asked to do anything he did not exact
ly want to.
And when be once began yielding to
the inclination to refuse obliging peo-
pie, it was astonishing how the tenden-
cy increased to do less and less to help
| others.
Johnny's kind parents did all they
could to make him happy, and his
mamma especially tried every way she
could think OF, to show the little boy
how wrong and selfish it was to want
only to please himself. No matter
whether little sister Matte had a good
time or not. Johnny didn't care so long
as he enjoyed himself, and no matter
how tired mamma was Johnny never
could be made to feel it was his duty to
help her.
| And things went on from bad to
| worse, until actual d;sobedience be-
gan, which was so promptly punished
that Johnny made up his mind it was
no use trying to break rules, but he
went as far as he could go without in
curing punishment
One night, Mr. James came home
and found his wife very much discour-
aged And TO his kind inquiries as to
what troubled her, she said it seemed
utterly impossible TO make Johnny do
| right. She had coaxed and punished
him; she had read to him from the Bible.
| showing how God hated disobedience,
and a naughty, unwilling disposition;
had read and told him stories of chill
dren who were not kind and obliging,
but it was of no use. Johnny pouted
and muttered, and only obeyed when
spoken sternly to and obliged to.
She had told him three times through
the day to go to the post-office, and he
| declared he had forgotten it; and when
sent for dozen eggs, he had managed
to carelessly break three, and didn't
seem in the least sorry.
well" said Mr.. James, ''In talk to
Johnny"
That evening he took Johnny and
said in a very kind but decided way:
Nov, my boy, your mother and I
have tried every way we could, proper
~, to make you good boy, but, as all
our efforts have seemed to fail thus far, I
think we must try new plan. Did
| you ever hear it said, Johnny, that
it's poor rule that won't work both
ways?'"
| No. Johnny had never heard of that.
s'Well, now that MEANS" explained
his father, ''that it is poor rule which
will do for one person, but won't do
for another. For instance, how do you
think it would do for mamma and for
me to treat you as you treat usp Sup
pose we disregard your wants, forget
to do what you ask us and forget or
neglect to treat you politely or with
kindness, now do you think it would
do?n
:. Don't know said Johnny, sui
len1y.
Very well, continued papa, ssnow
I warn you, my little son, that here
after we may try what seems to be
why there'll be only yourself to
blame.
| This talk set Master Johnny to think
ing. and all the next day he took care
to do as he was told, and really avoided
any direct naughtiness. But bad hab-
its are not easily conquered, and, the
second morning after the talk, papa
called to him before breakfast and asked
him to 60 and get morning paper just
in the next street.
4 Cant Matte goP" he whined. 81
amt got no boots-on.' =
''Put them on then. said papa 81
want you to go, not Matte. -
His papa heard the muttering and
firging of things around so customary
when Johnny was displeased, and the
moments went gliding by until the
breakfast bell rang, and no Johnny had
appeared.
just as all were seated at the table, 8
cross-faced boy appeared, and seeing
breakfast all steami1g on the table be
asked. fretfully:
Cant go for the paper after break,
: fast?''
No" said papa. I'm get it myself
after breakfast y
Johnny looked satisfied and went di
reetly to the table.
why, where's my plateP' he whinet
again, and my napkin, and -''
''Oh we didn't feel like giving yot
any breakfast, sa' d papa. in so suriy ;
tone that Johnny looked at him in sur
prise.
Il want my breakfast dreadfuIp'
said Johnny, half crying.
'.Well, you can't have it if you do
] don't feel like working all day just
to buy breakfasts and dinners anC
suppers for little boy who never feel
ike doing anything for anybody bu
himself, SO run away and don't bottle
} us.
'.But there's milk toast and omeIet
. my two fayorites, . said Johnny, really
crying.
well so there was speech from
J my favorite speaker in the mornin.
. paper, said papa; .'but I've had to d
without it. It's poor rule that won
: work both WAYS, my boy, so now 90 int,
the library at once.
Johnny thought there never was sucl