Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1890-05-22
The BETTER WAY.
A Story for Mothers.

the house. With feet that stirred no
echoes in silent air, Mrs. Lawrence
glided from the chambers, and re-
turned to the breakfast room, where
her husband sat reading. He did not
look up from the page on which his
eyes were bent, nor seem TO observe
her entrance.
There was q weight on the heart OF
Mrs. Lawrence as she sat down by
her work table under the gas-light, and
took o small basket in her lap-a
weight, and also sense Of relief, Her
active, restless, noisy, and too often
turbulent and contentious brood were
asleep and safe from outward harms;
for this a sentiment of thankfulness
lay unspoken on her lips. But with
stiffness that succeeded came troubled
memories, self-reproaches, questions as
to the right and wrong of her own life
among her children, doubts, fears, an :
xieties.
Not in sweet piece, like the passage
of q summer day, had closed the twi-
light hours in Mrs Lawrence's home
on the evening of her introduction to
the reader. They had fallen in the
rain of passion. Tired. fretted, and
lll-natured, the children met like
state in their mother; and angry au-
thority chafed against blind wilfull.
ness. So the day had closed in storm
and now, in the brooding hush that
followed, Mrs Lawrence sat down
with the pressure Of misgiving on her
heart:
what am l to do with these child
ren2'
The words leaped out suddenly.
giving Mr.. Lawrence start. He
did not, however, let his eyes fall
away from the page he was reading,
nor, beyond a slight change of posi-
ton, intimate a consciousness that
his wife had spoken. When the full
heart breaks silence, IL does not
usually rest in a single utterance.
Mrs. Lawrence went on after brief
pause: ....-s.
Il am out of all heart with John
nyI
Mr.. Lawrence let his book fall, and
let his eyes rest upon the shadowed
countenance of his wife.
And Lydia is such trial! So
fretful and irritable. Johnny keeps
her in trouble all day long. You
don't know what time l have with
them g.a 4f.,.-r .....r.... .. ID
Still Mr.. Lawrence did not answer
Not that he was indifferent; not that
his thought was on his book, or away
from the present. His thought was
with his wife and children, and on his
mind lay pressure of concern. But
what was it best for him to say2 That
question kept him perplexed and 81
lent. He did not wish to blame his
wife, and hesitated on even an intima-
ton that the fault might lie at her
door. She was very sensitive, and
could not bear to have him say word
that involved disapproval. .I
"What am [ to dor Mrs. Law
renee looked steadily at her husband,
and paused as though expecting him to
answer. You saw how it was little
while ago.
Yes
Something in the voice Of her hus-
band, as he uttered this single word,
chafed on the feelings of Mrs. Law
renee. She was not ignorant Of the
fact that she had lost temper, and
dealt rather harshly with Johnny be-
fore sending him to bed, and that
something in the voice of her hus-
band sounded like accusation or re-
buke.
What am ! to do2' she repeated the
question with just touch of asperity
in her tones. @a
There are two requisites OF good
government said Mr.. Lawrence,
raising the book to his eyes, and
affecting to read--'self,government,
and a wise administration. With
out the former, the latter is impossl,
ble.' a @ II
He let the book fall into his lap
and looked calmly at his wife. The
QUICK blood was already mounting to
her face. She understood him
thoroughly. E&. d
4 wish you had the trial of them
for a week or twoH Mrs. Law
renee spoke with considerable sharp
ness.
Il am not desirous of changing
places, Ruth answered the husband in
a calm, soothing voice. The difficulty
of yours I fully understand; and ]
know that you are filing it far better
than I could. Patience, forbearance,
and self-control are above all things
needed; and these are not my special
virtues
4 do the best I can,' said Mrs.
Lawrence, her tones softening lit
tie, but expressing more discourage
ment.
Are you certain about that2'
The blood which had commenced re-
ceding from the face of Mrs. Lawrence,
went flushing back again, mounting to
the very temples.
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