The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1885-08-28
JOHNNY'S POOR RULE.


1t Proved a Very Unpleasant and Disa-
greeable One When Worked Both
Ways.
Johnny James had been growing sui
len for some time whenever he was
asked 10 do anything be did not exact
ly want to.
And when be once began yielding to
the inclination to refuse obliging peoc,
pie. it was astonishing how the tenden-~
CIV increased to do less and less to help
others.
Johnny's kind parents did all they
could to make him happy, and his
mamma espec, ally 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 so long
as he en- ,oyed 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 SO promptly punished
that Johnny made up his mind it was
no use irving 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 imposs bic to make Johnny do
right She had coaXed and punished
him; she had read to him from the Bible
showing how God hated disobedicnce,
and naughty. unwilling dispositions;
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 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.
We'll" said Mr.. James. "rll talk to
Johnny"
That evening he took Johnny and
said in very kind but decided way:
Now. my boy. your mother and l
have tried every way we could. proper
ly. to make You a good boy, but, rs all
our 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 Il 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?''
Don't know said Johnny, sui
lenly.
Very WE'LL" 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 there1l be only yourself to
blame"
This talk set Master Johnny to think
ing. and all the next da, he took care
to do rs 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 20 and get morning paper just
in the next street.
Cant Matte go?'' he whined. II
amt got no boots on"
PUT them on them" said papa II
want you to go, not MIttie.
His papa heard the muttering and
flirg.ng of til ngs around so customary
when Johnny was displcased. and the
moments went gliding by until the
breakfast bell rang. and no Johnny had
appeared.
Justas all were seated at the table. a
crosS-faced boy appeared, and seeing
breakfast all stcalniIg On the table he
asked, fretfully:
Cant go for the psper after break
.fasta"
No" said papa. 'Tn get it myself
after breakfast"
johnny locked satisfied and went d.
rectly to the table.
why. where's MY plate?" he whined
again. land my napkin. and -
..Oh We dihl't feel like giving you
any breakfast" sa d papa. in SO surly
tone that Johnny looked at him in sur
prise.
~ want my breakfast dresGfu."'
said johnny, haif crying.
well. YOU cant have il if vou do!
I don't feel like working all day just
TO buy breakfasts and dinners and
suppers for little boy who never feels
like doing any thirg for anybody put
himself, SO run away and don't bother
us.
but there's milk toast and ome,et.
my wo favortes," said Johnny. really
Lryag
''NcU. so there waG a speech fryM
my farorlte speaker in the morning
paper. said papa; ''bVt 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 ut once
an abused boy rs he. when he was &C
tually obliged to make his breakfast on
a slice of bread or Nothing at all, but |
the lesson proved a good one, for
remembered it for some time, |
then he began falling into the same try
ing old HABITS again.
iapa asked him to weed the flower
pot one morning, but at night he said
he had forgotten it Mamma asked
him to please stay in the house with
Matte, Wednesday afternoon, because
she lad a cold and couldn't get out, and
at night he said nc didn't stay in be-
cause he didn't feel like it, and m ANNA