Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1891-12-23


ag'in," he said, slowly, 81 wouldn't rest
till I'd bought the hull store out. The poor
little creetursv'
Eye got enough, dear knowsp' rejoired
Miss Jane, pretending to search in the corn
or cupboard for something which could not
be found. "They'll be as pleased 10 the
mornin' as two crickets."
The astonishment and delight of the two
little girls when they walked in the morning
and found their gifts can better be imagined
than described; and there were no happier
children in the old district schoolhonse the
following Monday than the two whose pre-
tended Christmas had become wonderful
reality.-B. hOLLowELL, in Christian
Union.
| How to Train Children.
MOTIVES MUST BE UNDERSTOOD IN JUSTICE
i TO THEM.
agement of children that mothers begin to
weary of it all, and yet of children I wish
Co speak. Would that my voice could reach
every woman's heart, whether mother, sis-
ter or teacher. First, wish to lead you
back to your own childhood. Did you ever
begin to do some odd job that you had not
been told to do, ibut that you supposed your
self fully capable of performing, expecting
to be thanked for Kindly helping, only to
find that you had done the worst piece of
mischief that you possibly could, and more
than all, were told that you had done it out
of pure mischieyousness?
If you never had such an experience it
must have been because servants we're so
plenty that nothing was left to do or that
you we're too indolent to exert yourself. A
| fr;a nd hot uicif ho1 hr,- hox,
of six years, with loving disposition, al
ways willing to help every one, but appar-
emily the most misohievous of children. His
mother was in despair. She conf1ded her
troubles to me, and resolved to watch him
and see if could not find out the reason he
had won such name as Little Mischief.
| The next morning at the table my friend
| remarked that the weather was 80 beauti
ful that she would remove her plants from
the sunny window they occupied to the
veranda, but she added. 81 do dread to do
it; it is so tedious and it tires me 3d."
l noticed how the little eyes sparkled, and
knew as we'll as if he had told me that the
little fellow had heard what she said, and
| would try to do the much dreaded job for
her. Not long after she ran over to Mrs.
AS, and no sooner did the gate shut than
Harry was active. The flower stand was
| already in the accustomed place, waiting
| for the plants. One by one, carefully, he
| lifted the heavy pots, and, without break
| ing leaf, transferred them to their sum-
! mer quarters. Sometimes he paused a mo-
ment to rest, then went bravely to work
again. His face was picture OF happi-
ness. He was helping his mamma.
| watched and wondered if this would also
| be laid to his mschievous propensities.
My friend was gone rather longer than she
expected, for, as she told me afterwards,
Mrs. A. had love of bonnet that she
must see, as well as several costly addi.
tions to her parlor furniture. All! there
lay the secret of her discontented looks, for
she had told me that, owing to several
losses, abe would not be able to expend
much money on her summer outfit. As she
came in the gate her face passed through
all the phases of surprise, dismay, and final
ly anger.
"Harry, come here this instant. What
have you been doing? How dare you touch
my plsnts?"
Singing blows fell on the hands that had
toiled 80 thanklessly.
I watched the child; he was heartbroken. |
His bosom heaved, and bis sobs were pitt
ful.
'Go to your room and stay the rest OF the
morning. He obeyed
"There! What did tell you? How can
l manage such a boy?"
''By simply understanding him." l re.
Piled.
"What do you meanT'
"This. Your little boy wanted to help
you; read it in his face. His motives we're
the best. You said it tired you SO, and he
generously did the disagreeable task for
you."
URut he had dronned one9D
"He did not, and if he had, a broken
plant is better than broken heart. l tell
you candidly, if you do not act differently
with that boy he is ruined" They were
harsh words, but knew the mother heart
would in time forgive them.
"What can do?"
Put yourself in his place. Find out his
motive if you can, and, believe me, ten
times out of twelve what passes for mis-
chief is only wish to tighten your burdens,
desire Of the loving heart to help you."
She went with me to the veranda. We
rearranged the plants, and l called her at
tention to the heavy pots aud then to the
little aching arms and back, and after she
had acknowledged she was glad they we're
moved, begged her to tell her little boy
the same"
"What! Acknowledge that did wrong
to punish him? would lose all control
over him if did that"
"Try this time and see,'' 1 urged. And
she did.
When she entered Hsrry's room he sat in
chair by the window, quietly watching
the floating clouds. Still smarting from a
sense of injustice, he did not look around
or smile.
"Harry, come here" He obeyed. "Why
did you move tie plants. Tell me the ex
act truth"
He looked up to her face and, reading en-.
couragement there, simply said:
"Becauss you said it tired you SO. am
most man now. can help you lots.
did not break one, not one, mamma, and
they we're heavy. Are you glad, now, Id
it, mamma?'
''Yes, yes, Harry, and 1 was cross and
hurt your hand. I am sorry"
"Oh, it does not hurt any more now
Next time IN wait till you tell me-"
They came back together, aud | saw by
the looks of my friend that she had learned
lsssou not coon to be forgotten. That was
six gears ago. They called while passing
through the town this winter aud mora
gentIemanly, helpful boy would be hard to
find. She said: Il have you to thank.
From the day of the much-Deeded lesson |
watched and looked into the motives of my
child, aud always found that tie so-called
mischief arose from desire to be useful.
soon got acquainted with my boy and had
no more trouble with. He is now my great
est comfort" "
Mothers, fathers, all that have charge of
precious souls, beware how you miscon-
strue their motives! Though they may per-
hsps seem to do things out of pure mis-
chief, be sure it is SO before you punish
them, est they cease to care, and as theY have
! the name only wish to mako it fact. Oh,
| ,be men ard women thst have gone to d.
struction fsom having tteir motives mstak-
en-, their actions misconstrued! Be sure
none of these sips are laid to your charge.
dudley Dorm, in Housekeeper.
| A VALUAbLEl Mr.. A. B. DAVIS, of
I'll DISCOVERY ! Davis Bros., at Arcola,
0Miss. is great believer in the virtue of
S. 8. S. He wri,es, that he was sffl cted
with one Of the worst cases of blood poison
known TO the human race, and after going
| ,h:Cuoh uuife p long treatment. i,ally re-