The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1891-03-04
Speak Gently.

Alice, as she came crying from the
, kitchen, saying: ~ am 80 sorry,
mother, to tell you have broken one
of the best cups"
II never did see such q child" she
added impatiently. "There, get away
with you and don't let me see you
again."
"But I really could not help 1t,
mother, I couldn't indeed. I am 4so
sorry, will you kiss me and forgive me,
and let me be your little maid again ~:
she asked, again bursting into tears.
"No! l have no patience with your.
carelessness. There, 60 away and
play with your doll, or anything, sos
long as you don't worry me.h
So Alice crept away into the garden
as If she had been guilty Of some terri
bic crime instead of an accident which
could not have been avoided. Al
though her mother never gave it e.
thought, she was piercing the heart OF
her child with sorrow which nearly
broke her down. Had she heard the
little ones sobs, or thought of her own
imprudenee In giving her the cup to.
wash she might have been led to think
and act differently.
But Jane Hopkins did not think.
She was one of those hasty, impulsive
natures to be met with here and there
who are always expecting other people
to be ready to put up with their own
failings, but not willing to make all
lowance for any one else In return.
She bad a quick. temper and hasty
tongue. which she had never tried to
bride and govern, and the result was,l
she was constantly getting into hot
water with first one and then another.
So little Alice went her way and
tried to forget her sorrow by taking
refuge with her doll. She undressed Il :
and dressed it again. She took off, It's
bonnet, pretending that its hair was
not smooth and tidy enough, while.
from time to time she gave 1t gentle
words of endearment, which she felt
would have been specially welcome TO
herself from her mother. But, alas,
they never reached her, but when
night came she was sent to bed before
her father came home from his work
with another sharp reproof and more
harsh words.
"There, go to bed and get out of my;
sight, you are the plague Of my life. ="
Sobbing again and saying, II really
couldn't help it, mother" she crept
upstairs, but sleep under such circufa-
stances was out Of the question. The
poor child sobbed again. She tossed
about from one side to the other Of her
little bed, saying: 'I'm sure 1
couldn't help it. tried to be careful.
I do wish mother would forgive me.
1t did slip out of my hand before Il
could help it," ...,.. 81
Nor could Jane Hopkins, as she satN
by the fire waiting her husbands re-.
turn, quite shake off some unpleasant
feelings which haunted her. Do what
she would to excuse herself, she felt;
from time to time she had good deal
to blame herself. "Was it reasonable
to expect an ola head upon such young
shoulders ?" something whispered to
her. "Would you like to be snapped
up in that kind Of wayw "Do you
not sometimes have the misfortune 70
break something's Such thoughts
made her feel very whetched and sad.
All at once she was startled by think
ing she heard the echo Of her own
words repeating what she had said TO
Alice:
again."
She shuddered as she also imagined
she heard some one answer, "Your
wish shall be granted. You shall not
see her again I will take her away
The bare thought Of the house with.
out her child thrilled her, and the sad
face, the streaming tears Of her little
one as 1t went to bed without kiss,
seemed to look at her as If for the last
time. She started again as seem.
ed to hear her own mother once more
repeating to her words, which she had
often tried to impress upon her mind
and heart many years ago, but which
had been burned out Of sight by her
hasty temper; but verse by verse came
back, and she found herself repeating
'iSpeak gently! it is better far
| To rule by love than fear;
Speak gently! let not harsh words mar
The good we might do here.
"speak gently to the little child;
It's love be sure TO gain /
Teach IL In accents soft and mild;
1t may not long remain.
"speak gently to the young. for they
| VIII have enough to bear;
Pass through this life as best they may.
'Tis full OF anxious care"
Hastily rising to her feet, she lit
candle, and resolved to 60 upstairs and
see If Alice was asleep. Slowly and
cautiously she made her way to the
bedside of the child, and her motherly
instincts aroused to their fullest ex.
tent, and ready to do anything to
avert any threatened danger.
The moment Alice caught sight OF
her mothers face by the dim light Of
the candle, something told her
change had come over her, and raising
herself up in bed she exclaimed
"Oh, mother, dear, I'm so sorry to
have vexed you. Kiss me and say you
forgive me-" -
may, my child I have come to-
ask you to forgive me for being 80 un-
kind and hasty. I am sorry said go
much about it, my darling. If had
only thought you would have felt 1t 30
much, I should never had said half
what I did. Give me kiss and be
you to be so wretched."
The child clung to her mothers
neck, delighted, and kissed her over
again, tears of real joy coursing down
her little face.
"There, dear, now 60 to sleep and
think no more about 1t. shall try
and be more patient in the future, and
then you will not have so much sor-
row. Let US ask God to help us both
20 try to be better to one another"
Kneeling down by the bedside, Jane
prayed for herself and her child, a.
she had never done before, and when