The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1885-08-29
JOHNNY'S POOR RULE.


1t Proved Very Unpleasant and Disa-
greeable 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 tendon
cy increased to do less and less to help
others.
Johnay'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 good
time or not. johnny didn't care 50 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 diSobedience be
gan, which was 50 promptly punished
that Johnny made up his mind it was
no use trying to break rules, but he
went is far as he could 90 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
hot b., i
utterly impossi bile to make Johnny do
right She had coaNed and punished
him; she had read to him from the Bible
showing how God hated disobedicnce,
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 muttcred, and only Obeyed when
spoken sternlv to and obliged to.
She had told him three times through
the day to 90 to the post-oilice, 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, 'Tll talk to
Johnny"
That evening he took Johnny and
said in very kind but decided way:
Now, my boy, your mother and |
have tried every way we could, proper
ly, to make you good boy, but, as all
cur efforts have seemed to fail thus far,
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.
''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 us? 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
lcnly
Very well" continued papa, ''now
/ warn you, my little son, that here
after we may try what seems to be
your rule, and if it doesn't please you.
why there II be only yourself to
blame.
This talk set Master johnny to think
ing, and al the next day he took care
to do as he was told, and really avoided
any direct naughtincss. 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 90 and get a morning paper just
IN the next street
Cant Matte go?' he whined. 81
amt rot no boots on. "
PUT them on them said papa 81
want you to 90, not Matte
His papa heard the muttering and
flirging 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 We're seated at the table, a
cross-faced boy appeared, and seeing
breakfast all steamiHg on the table he
asked, fretfully:
Cant go for the paper after break
fast?"
No" said papa, 'I'll get it myself
after breakfast"
Johnny looked satisfied and went d.
rectly to the table
why, where's my plate?' he whined
again, land my napkin, and ---"
"Oh We didn't feel like giving You
any breakfast sa d papa, in 50 surly a
tone that johnny looked at him in sur
prise.
al want my breakfast drcadfuln'
said Johnny, half crying.
"Wcll, you cant have it if you do.
l don't feel like working all day Just
to buy breakfasts and dinners and
suppcrs for little boy who never feels
like doing anything for anybody but
himself, so run away and don't bother
US.
But there's milk toast and omelet,
my two fayorites," said johnny, really
crying.
well, so there was speech from
my favorite speaker in the morning
paper, said papa; "but I've had to do
without it. It's poor rule that won't
work both ways, my boy, so now go into
the library at once.
Johnny thought there never was such