Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1889-06-06
A DAY OF LIBERTY.

why Ned Concluded That It Isn't Best for
Children to Have Their Own Way.
Ned Townsend was little boy who
was particularly fond of having his
own way. His mothers commands he
always received with such sullen
look that he made her feel very sad.
ton his shoes, and he was pouting over
them as usual when Mrs. Townsend
returned to dress him for school.
Taking the button-hook from his hand,
she said, pleasantly: There has been
a new law passed, my boy. Children
are to have their own way for a whole
day; no one is to interfere with them.
and when the time is up they will know
whether it is better to do as. their
parents say, or go according to their
own wishes"
"Hurrahr' cried Ned; won't have
a good time! Shall I go to school to-
day? Yes; Til lose all the fun with the
boys if don't. Besides, won't have
to mind the teacher when get there
How finem
So, without another thought for his
unbuttoned shoes, he threw on his hat
and overcoat and started. The boys
were having rare fun when he reached
the playground, and he joined them
heartily. Soon the bell rang for. them
to go into school, but they went on
playing just the same They all un-
derstood that they were having their
own way now, and they meant to- play
as long us they wished. However,
they at last grew tired of this sport,
and concluded to go inside and search
for different fun. The teacher invited
them to take seats, but they scorned
the invitation. They laughed, and
played and talked, and ran around just
as if they were outside.
..How grand it is not to have to
mindr' thought Ned. But at that
moment rough little boy ran past
Ned's desk, and knocked over the.
basket containing his lunch. OF course
it fell on the dirty floor, and was
spoiled. Il wish he had been made to
mind" said Ned to himself. But he
tried to look happy, and to join in the
general fun.
Somehow, toward noon the privilege
grew less and less satisfactory to the
scholars, and without any apparent
reason they began to feel cross. After
that they took to quarreling. and actu-
ally ended in fighting. The poor
teacher looked very sorrowful, but she
had no power to stop them that day.
Lunch settled them for awhile, but
when they had taken their last bite
they became more boisterous than be-
fore.
In the meantime Ned had grown
very hungry. and his feet were wet
and cold. His head was aching. and
the noise of the other children made
it worse. He sat down and wished
the teacher could get them quiet; but
instead. the usually pleasant room was
beginning to somewhat resemble a
miniature battlefield. Ned longed to
get out into the still air. s.But what
hinders me?" he suddenly thought.
And, leaving his seat, he hurried out
of the noisy room. Then his feet
grew colder and wetter than ever; his
throat began to feel sore, too, and he
came to the wise conclusion that he
had better go directly home to his
kind mother
1t was very tired, very cold and
very sick little boy that crept into Mrs.
Townsend's house that afternoon.
When he saw his mother he cried
out in a hoarse voice: 20 mamma!
don't want boys to have their own way
any more.
You are sick, my son." was all she
replied.
And, taking him in her arms, sht
laid him in his bed Then the little