Year: 1879

ger, but in grief He had spilled his
tea by accident. His mother had so
many reproots and injunctions to make
that the bearing Of them all in mind
was a thing impossible. As to pouring
out all his tea at one time, he had no re-
collection of any interdiction on that
subject, although it had been made over
and over again very often. In a little
while he came creeping 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 for what was only an accident
She felt that she had hardly been Just to
the thoughtless boy She did not, there
fore, object to his coming back, and said
as he took his seat


Next time see that you are more care
ful. | have told you again and again
not to fill your saucer to the brlm; you
never can do it without spilling the tea
on the tab'e-clothr


This was not spoken in kindness.
A scene somewhat similar to tins is
enacted at every meal; but instead of i'm
proving i'll his behavior, the boy grew
more and more needless.
Mr.. Burton rarely said anything to
Henry about his unruly manners; but
when he did, word was enough.
! That word was always mildly but firm
ly spoken.s He did not think him bad
boy, or difficult to manage, at least he
had never found him SO.


II wish / knew what to do with that
child," SAID Mrs. Burton, after the little
I fellow had been sent to bed an hour be
| fore his time, in consequence OF some
| violation OF law and order; che makes
! ire constantly feel unhappy. | dislike
to be scoldlng hlm forever; but what can
/ do? If did not curb him in some way,
there would be no living in the house
with him. | am afraid he will cause us
a great deal Of trouble
| Mr. Burton sat silent. lie wanted %
say word on the subject but he feared
that ITS effect might not be what he desir-
1 ed


II wish you would advise me what to
| do, Mr.. Burton said his wife, a little
| pctulantly .,Gou sit and do not say q
single word, as il you had no kind of IN
terest in the matter. What am | to do2
l have exhausted all my own resources,
/


'.There is q way which, if you adopt
it, think might Go good


Mr. Burton spoke with asliehtappear
ance of hesitation.


If You would speak gently to Henry,
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-estcem was severely wounded.


"spcak gently, indeed,n she replied;
might as well speak to the wind. |
am scarcely heard now At the top Of my
voice


As her husband did not argue the
matter with her, nor say anything that
was calculated to keep up the excite
ment under which she was laboring, her
\ feelings IN little while quieted down,
and her thoughts became active. The
words "speak gently We're constantly III
her mind, and there was a reproying
import in them.


On going to bed that night she could
not get to sleep for several hours; her
mind was too busily engaged in review
ing lcr conduct toward her child





frequently suffered her mind to get excit-
ed and angry, and that she was often an
noycd at tritles which ought to have been
overlooked.


II am afraid have been unjust to my
child" she sighed over and over again,
turning restlessly upon her pillow. Il
will try and DO better" she said to her
self, as she rose in the morning, feeling
but little refreshed from her sleep.
Il Before she was ready to leave her room
she heard Henry's voice calling her from
the next chamber where he slept. The
tones We're frctful. lie wanted some at
tendance, and was crying out for It IN a
manner that instantly disturbed the even
surface Of the mothers feelings. She
was about telling him angrilly to wait
the words '.speak gently seemed whis-
percd in her ear. Their effect was magi-
cal; the mothers spirit was subdued.


Il will speak gently" she murmured
and went in to Henry, who was still cry
ing out frctfully.


"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.


II cannot find my stockings, mamma,


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


20, YES, 50 they aren' cheerfully re-
piled Henry. Il could not see them any
where"


did you think crying would bring
them?'


This was said with smile. and in a