The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1891-11-18
Do Consequences Affect Disobedience

1t was a rule in the Winthrop family
that The children must be at home by
six O'Clock, the supper hour. When
ever this rule was transgressed, an eX-
PLANTATION was expected. Ore night
Fred Winthrop might have been seen
running up the sire ct with Jack Thorp,
his boon companion, just as the half
past six o'clc ok train went by. He was
running because he knew he was very
late, and he went into the house xpect-
ing reproof, perhaps punishment. 1t
so happentd that supper was unusually
late that night, and The family were
Just seating themselves at the table
as Fred entered. Mrs. Winthrop was
in excellent spirits, and took no notice
of Fred's tardiness, she was so occupied
in giving her husband an account of
her afternoons experiences. Fred was
surpris ed, but, hoy-like, he said nothing.
Two nights later he came again at the
same hour. But this time his recep ion
was quite different. 1t had been one
of those days when everything goes
wrong. Mrs. Winthrop was tired and
anxious to get the children to bed early,
evening with her husband. Supper was
ucdily ONCl WHCA IlCu CHlcltu. LII
his haste he had neglected to wash his
hands and face, and as he sat down he
Jared the table in an eXasperating way.
1t was not in pleasant tone of voice
that his mother said: "What does
make you so clumsy, Fred? And /
shouldn't think you'd come to the table
with such hands; moreover, you are
more than half an hour late, and don't
deserve any supper. What have you to
say for yourseli?' CT went to the pas
ture with Jack" said Fred, shortly.
AS unishuent, you must 90 with
out cake the rest of the week, and to-
night 60 to bed as soon as you have
finished your SUPPER" said Mrs. Win
throp, rising from the table. 81 don't
see why have to be punished to night.
/ was Just exactly as late Tues day, and
you didn't say word" grumbled Fred.
Mrs. Winthrop eft the room, but Fred's
words haunted her, She remen, bered
that he had be en- late before, but supper
was late, too, and his tardiness had made
no impression on her. Some mothers
would have paid no more attention to
the matter, hut Mrs. Winthrop was
thoroughly conscientious, ard meant to
deal Justly with her children. Fred is
right, The thought. Why is it any
worse for him to be late this time Than
the other? 1t is simply more ircon-
venient for me. Then she remembered
that at dinner Fred had Jared the table
in the same way, and received no re-
proof. FurthermC re, she recalled many
instances in which she had failed to
notice disobedience, if NJ unpleasant
consequences had followed. She has
tened back to the dining-room. "My
dear boy" she said to Fred, lit wasn't
any worse for you to be late tonight
than the other time; so please consider
your punishment for that night instead
of this, and forgive me for seeming I'M
just. We both need to RENE mber that
disobedience is the same, whatever the
consequences" How many mothers
remember this and act accordingly? A
child was once told that he must not get
through wire fence, because he would
almost certainly tear his clothes. He
tried it, and succeeded in getting
through without injury. Running to
the house, he said: Mamma, can
get through wire fence without tear
ing my clothes, for just did," Well,
you're smarter than thought for" said
his mother. Later in the day he came
in with an ugly tear down the leg OF
his trousers, showing that his second
attempt had not been as successful al
the first. This time he was punished
for disobedience. But was not the dis
obedience really greater the first time
than the second p Christian at Work.