The weekly messenger. [volume] (St. Martinsville [i.e. St. Martinville] La.) 1886-1948, 1889-05-25

ing him brief visit.
Aunt Larry let her knitting rest in her
lap, and turned her mild, thoughtful
eyes upon the speaker.
"What is to be done with that boy,
Aunt Mary" Mr.. Belknap repeated his
words. ''i've tried eTerything with
him: but he remains incorrigible."
"Ha.e you tried"
Aunt nary paused, and seemed half III
doubt whether it were best to give ut
terance 10 what was in her mind.
Tired what?" asked Mr.. Belknap.
''Iay / speak plainly" said Aunt
Vary.
ITO me Why. yes. The palmer the
bette-.'
"IIaye you tried kind, affectiOnate,
unimpassioned manner with the boy
Since Ihave been here. | notice that YOU
speak to him in = odd, indifferent or
authoritative tone nder such treat
ment, some natures, that soften quickly
in the sunshine of affection, grow hard
and stubborn"
The blood mounted to the cheeks and
brow Of Nr. Belknap.
"Forgiye NE if have spoken 100
plainly said Aunt Mary.
Mr.. Beiknap did not make any re-
spouse for some time, but sat with his
eyes upon the floor in hurried self-ex-
animation.
"No, Aunt Mary, not too plainly"
said he, as ne looked at her with So
bered face. Il needed that suggestion,
and thank you for having made it."
.Mrs. Hewitt has line which beau
tifully expresses what I mean," said
Aunt Mary, in her gentle, earnest way.
at is:
For love hath raa;ier viii than fear
An, if we could all comprehend the
wonderful power OF love 1t is the fire
that melts; while fear only smites, the
strokes hardening. or breaking its un-
slightly fragments. John Thomas has
many good qualities, that ought to be
made as acti as possible. These, like
gocdly flowers growing in a carefully
titled garden, viii absorb the latent vi
tally N his mind, and thus leave moth
ing from which inherent evil tendencies
can draw nutrition"
Aunt Mary said no more, and Mr.. Bel
kraps thoughts were soon 100 busy with
a new train of ideas, to Leave tm in any
MOOT Tor conversation.
Time moved steadily On. Nea7. y Aaif
an hour had elap.ed, in Which reriod
John Thomas might have .ore twice to
Lesiie's store, and etlrred yet he was
still absent. Mr.. Belknap was rartcu-
larly in want Of hammer and nails, and
the delay chated him considerably; the
more particularly q It evidenced the in
difference OF his son to his wishes and
commands. sometimes he would Weld
to mOmentary binding flash of anger.
and resolve to punish the boy severely
the moment he could get his hands on
HIM. But quickly would come in Aunt
Mary's suggestion, and he would again
resolve to try the power of kind words.
He was also a great deal strengthened in
his purposes, by the fact that Aunt
Mary's eyes would be upon him at the
return of John Thomas. After her sur
gestion, and his acknowledgment of its
value, it would hardly DO for him to let
passion so rule MIN, as to act in open
violation of what was right-to wrong
ms SON by harsh treatment, when ne
to desire only his good.
The fact is, Mr.. Belknap had already
made the DISCOVERY that. if ne would
govern his COY, he must first govern him
self. This was not an easy task. Yet,
he felt that it must be done.
'There comes that boy now, said he,
IS he glanced forth, and saw John
Thomas coming homeward at very de-
iberate pace. There was more of i'm
patience in his tCne of voice than he
wished to betray to Aunt Mary, who let
her beautiful. angel-like eyes rest for q
moment or two, penetratingly, upon him.
The balancing power of that look was
needed; and it performed its work.
Soon after, the lettering boy came in.
He had package o. nails in his hand
which he reached, Internationally, to
his father.
''The hammer John started with a
lalf -friphteneo air. "Indced father