The Wichita daily eagle., 1891-10-22
BE JUST TO CHILDREN.
MANY RUINED THROUGH HAVING
THEIR MOTIVES MISTAKEN.

weary of it all, and yet of children | wish
to speak. Would that my voice could
reach every woman's heart, whether
mother, sister or teacher. First, wish &c
lead you back to your own childhood. Did
you ever begin to do some odd job that you
had not been told to do but that you sup
posed yourself fully capable of performing.
expecting TO be thanked for kindly help
ing, only to find that you had done th
worst piece of mischief that you possibly
could, and, more than all, were told that
you had done it out of pure mischievous.
ness!
If you never had such an experience it
must have been because servants were sc
plenty that nothing was left to do, or that
you were too indolent TO exert yourself. A
friend that was visiting had bright boy
of six years, with loving disposition, al
ways willing to help every one, but appar
emily the most mischievous of children.
His mother was in despair. She confided
her trouble to me, and | resolved to watch
him, and see if could not find out the rea
son he had won such name as "Littl
Mischief"
The next morning at the table, my friend
remarked that the weather was so beauti
full that she would remove her plants from
the sunny window they occupied to the
veranda; but, she added. 81 do dread to dc
it; it is so tedious, and i: tires me so."
WANTED TO HELP MOTHER.
/ 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 jot
for her. Not long after she ran over t.
Mrs. A. 8, and no sooner did the gate shut
than Harry was active. The flower stand
was already in the accustomed place, wait
ing for the plauts. One by one, carefully,
he lifted the heavy pots, and, without
breaking a leaf, transferred them to theil
summer quarters. Sometimes he paused
a moment to rest, then went bravely tc
work again. His face was a picture OF
happiness. He was helping bis mamma.
/ watched and wondered If this wouln
also be laid TO his mischievous propensi
ties. My friend was gone rather Longer
than she expected, for, as she told M,
afterward, Mrs. A. had love of bonnet
that she must see, as well as several costly
additions to her parlor furniture. Ahl
there lay the secret of her discoutented
looks, for she had told me that owing tc
several losses she would not be able to ex
pend much money on her summer outfit
As she came in the gate her face passed
through all the phases of surprise, dismay
and finally anger.
Harry, come here this instant. What
have you been doingi How dare you touch
my plants9"
Singing blows fell on the hands that
had toiled SO thanklessly.
'YOu are always into some mischief
she exclaimed.
watched the child; he was heartbroken
His bosom heaved, and his sobs were pitt
full.
go to your room and stay the rest OF
the morning." He obeyed.
"Therel What did tell your How can
] manage such a boy2"
by simply understanding him." re
piled.
"What do you meant"
9TH Your little boy wanted to hell |
you; | read it in his face. His motive. |
were the best. You said it tired you SO
and he generously did the disagreeable
task for YOU"
"But if he had dropped one'"
He did not, and if he had. a broke
plant is better than a broken heart. | tell |
5 ou candidly, if you do not act differently /
with that boy he is ruined" They wer
harsh words, but knew the mother heart
would in time forgive them.
''What can do?'
PUT yourself in his place. Find out hi .
motive if you can, and, believe me, ter
lines out of twelve what passes for mis-
chief is only a wish to tighten your bur
lens; desire of the loving heart to helr
you"
She went with me to the veranda ".
the plants, and / called her at
ention to the heavy potts. and then to the
little aching arms and back, and after she
had acknowledged she was glad they were
moved, l begged her to tell her little boy
he same"
"Whatl acknowledge that did wrong
% punish him2 | would lose all control
,ver him if did that"
TRY this time and see," urged And
he did
WHEN SHE UNDERSTOOD HIM.
When she entered Harry's room he sat
n a chair by the window, quietly watch
ng the floating clouds Still smartiup
rom sense of injustice, he did not look
round or smile
Harry, come here" He obeyed. "Why
lid you move the plants2 Tell me the ex
ct truth"
He looked up to her face, and reading
Encouragement there simply said:
Because you saidsit tired you so. am
most man now. can help you lots.
i'd not break one, not one, mamma, and
hey were heavy. Are you glad now did
!, mammal
Yes, yes. Harry. and I was cross and
urt your hand. am sorry"
"Oh, it does not hurt any more now.
'ext time I'll wait till you tell me-.
They came back together, and | saw by
be looks of my friend that she had learned
lesson not soon TO be forgotten. That
-as six years ago. They called while pass
lg through our town this winter. and
lore gentlemanly, helpful boy would be
ard to find. She said: 81 have you to
lank. From the day of the much needed
sson watched and looked into the mo-
YES of my child, and always found that
lie so called mischief arose from a desire
} be useful. | soon got acquainted with
y boy and had no more trou bic with him I
e Is now my greatest comfort"
Mothers. fathers, all that have charge OF
recious souls, beware how you miscon-
rue their motivesl Though they may
srhaps seem TO do things out Of pure mis-
lief. Oe sure II is so before you punish
lem, lest they cease TO care, and as they
ave the name. only wish to make it fact
q. the men and women that have gone 70
estruction from having their motives
istaken. their actions miscoGstrUedI Be
ire none OF these sins are laid to your
arge--Dudley Dorm ID Housekeeper. J
HysterIa and HyPnotism.
At the recent meeting Of the French