Year: 1867

slowly back and resumed his place at the
table, his eyes on his mothers face Mrs.
Burton was sorry that she had sent him
away from what was an accident; she felt
that she had hardly been just to the
thoughtless boy. She did not; therefore,
object to his coming back, and said, as he
took his seat Next time see that you
are more careful. l have told you again
and again not to fill your saucer to the
brim; you never can do it without spill
ing the tea upon the table-cloth."


This was not spoken in kindness.


A scene somewhat similar to this was
enacted at every meal; but instead of i'm
proving in his behavior the boy grew
more and more needless. Mr.. Burton
rarely said anything to Harry about his
unruly manner, but when he did, word
was enough. That word was always
mildly yet firmly spoken. He did not
think him bad boy or difficult to man
age-at lest he had never found him so.
4" L wish | knew what to DO with that
child" said Mrs. Burton, after the little
fellow had been sent to bed an hour be-
fore his time, in consequence of some vi
olation of law and order; " he makes me
constantly feel unhappy. L dislike to be
scolding him forever, but what can do
If | did not curb him in some way there
would be no living in the house with him.
I am afraid he will cause US great deal
of trouble"


Mr.. Burton was silent He wanted to
say word on the subject, but he feared
that its effect might not be what he de-
sired.


/" [ wish you would advise me what to
do, Mr.. Burton" said his wife, a little
petulantly. " You sit, and do not say a
single word, as if you had no kind of in
terest in the matter. What am L to do?
L have exhausted all my own resources,
and feei completely at loss"


"There is a way, which, if you would
adopt it, [ think might do good" Mr.
Burton spoke with a slight appearance of
hesitation. If you would speak gently
to Harry, [ am sure you would be able to
manage him far better than you do"


Mrs. Burton's face was crimsoned in
an instant; she felt the reproof deeply
her self-esteem was severely wounded.


Speak gently, indeedr' she replied,
g | might as well speak to the wind; l
am scarcely heard now at the top of my
voice"


As her husband did not argue the mat
ter with her, nor say anything that was
calculated to keep up the excitement un-
der which she was laboring, her feelings,
in little while, quieted down, and her
thoughts became active. The words,
4" speak gently" were constantly in her
mind, and there was reproying import
in them. On going to bed that night she
could not to sleep for several hours; her
mind was too busily engaged in reviewing
her conduct toward her child. She clear
ly perceived that she too frequently suf-
fered her mind to get excited and angry,
and that she was often annoyed at tri-
fcs which ought to have been overlooked.


g am afraid have been unjust to my
child" she sighed over and over again,
turning restlessly upon her pillow.


L" l will try and do BETTER" she said to
herself as she rose in the morning, feeling
but little refreshed from sleep Before
she was ready to leave her room she heard
Harry's voice calling her from the next
chamber where he slept. The tones were
fretful; he wanted some attendance, and
was crying out for it in manner that iu-
stantly disturbed the even surface of the
mothers feelings. She was about telling
him, angrily, to be quiet until she could
finish dressing herself, when the words,
" speak gently" seemed whispered in her
ear. Their effect was magical; the moth
er's spirits was subdued.


I" will speak gently" she murmured,
and went into Harry, who was still crying
out fretfully.


" What do you want, my son" she said
in quiet, kind voice.


The boy looked up with surprise; his
eye frightened and the whole expression
of his face was changed in an Instant


| cannot find my stockings, mamma"
he said


There they are, under the bureau"
returned Mrs. Burton, as gently as she
had at first spoken.


"Oh yes, so they arew cheerfully re-
piled Harry: " could not see them any
where"


Did you think crying would bring
them?"


This was said with smile, and in a
tone so unlike his mother, that the child
looked up again into her face with sur
prise that was, Mrs. Burton plainly saw,
with pleasure.


" Do you want anything elsey" she
asked


" No mamma" he replied cheerfully,
=" | can dress myself"


This first little effort was crowned with
the most encouraging results to the moth
er; she felt a deep peace settling in her
bosom, the consciousness of having gain
ed true victory over the perverse ten
denotes Of both her own heart and that of
her boy. 1t was little act, but it was
the first fruits, and the gathering, even OF
so small harvest, was sweet to her spirit.