Rensselaer Union, Volume 9, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 12 April 1877 — A MOTHER TO HER BOYS. [ARTICLE]

A MOTHER TO HER BOYS.

TO CHARLIE. AGED FOURTEEN. My Darling—l have been looking for a word from my dear boy, but I suppose your studies keep you busy, and so mamma will write just a word by way of a gentle reminder that you must keep striving to be a good, noble boy. You are so pleasant ana sweet, dear son, when you really earnestly try to be, that I don’t desire any better dot than you can be. And then you know, dear pet, that your being good does not help yourself alone, ana comfort me and win every one’s love for you; but it does another very great thing —it helps dear little Jamie. Whether you can see it or not, it will surely help him to conquer his own faults and emulate your virtues. A good example always has its effect —never fails to have it. That is a law of human nature; just as we cannot hear of a grand and noble act, without feeling that we would like to do the same —so we cannot see any one trying to do right, struggling to overcome natural temptations and weaknesses, without feeling admiration for, And confidence in, them, and the desire to be like them in trying to overcome our own special faults. Don’t “ lecture” little Jamie, or speak to him of his faults. Don't do this; it is a wrong, unwise habit you must try to overcome. It is not the true way to help him; he repels it instinctively. It is only from our parents that we are ever willing to bear this kind of teaching; and it is only from parents or those who stand to us in the stead of parents, that it is lit or becoming. But by your example, by your own strong, sincere efforts to do your very best, and by your kindness to him (kindness which neither cares for or expects payment), by this course you will speak to your little brother in a way that will do him good, and that in his heart he will hear and be influenced by, though he may say nothing. lam so glad that you have given up your Spitz dog. I know that it was a pretty and amusing pet, and that you felt no fear of being harmed by it; but is always a gross and special shame to us to keep for our own pleasure merely anything that can annoy, alarm or injure others. The oleander which you admire so much is in full bloom, and your cousin has had it placed in the room that will be yours When you visit her.

TO JAMIE, AGED TWELVE. My Jamie —My own darling little boy! When I waked this morning the first thing which came into my head was that little rhyme you like to hear me sing: • '1 Won’t I hug, hug, hug, hug, hug! "Won’t I eat, eat, eat, eat, eat! Won’t 1 bite, bite, hite, bite, bite! Won’t I hug, eat, hite, my sweet! If you could only know, dear, hbw much I love you, how deeply I long to have you grow into a noble man, you would try harder than ever to be my honest, brave, unselfish boy. By honest I mean true in all you say and do; above deceit, scorning all false pretenses. By brave I mean strong to control your temper; strong to hold in those fiery horses that will take you wherever you please, and carry you splendidly to the accomplishment of all you seek to do in life—if you do hold the reins firmly and rule them’; but who will, if you yiela to them, bear you where they please, into desert places, among rocks and snares, and dash you down frightful precipicesat laSt. Ah, my darling, pay close attention to what Isay, and hold the horses obedient to your will. You are young to understand the meaning, the uses and purpose of a high, hot temper, yet I have often tried to explain them to you and you have seemed to understand. Let me impress it upon you again. You know what a great blessing fire is, and what a terrible curse it can be. When it gets out from our control, it burns whole cities, and burns human beings, men, women and little children; there is no staying its mighty power when once it gets bevond our control. But when we rule and control it, what a wonderful servant it is! It keeps our houses warm and cheerful; it cooks our food and heats our baths; it pushes our steamers and rolls our express trains, and by doing these two last things enables people to visit all countries and bears the products of every land to all lands. And these are only a few of the things it does when if is Our servant and not our tyrant. Now, darling, it is just so with temper —it is a great power; whether it shall be for good or ill, its possessor alone can decide. You know that it is a power, though you have thus far chiefly found out its power for evil. When your temper is up, you have felt the new, sudden power it gave you to strike your playmate if he had offended you; you have even felt that the blows or kicks he gave you in return did not give you so much pain in your angry mood as they did before you were angry or after. Temper uncontrolled is what makes its possessor stab and shoot, and murder his wife or his children, or his fattier, or his real or fancied enemy It is what makes him a fear, a terror to those nearest and dearest to him, and who would be glad to love him if they were not too much chilled and horrified at his dreadful actions. Snch temper is what has often used that other power so like itself—fire—to work out sudden revenges by burnihg the houses and property of those who have roused it, Now, does my darling want to know what Temper, the servant and not the tyrant, can do for a child? Temper the servant makes a child strong in all ways. Strong to control his' desires when they prompt him to hurt others or destroy tlawir things in spite; strong to hold up his head and confess his fault bravely, whatever it may be, fearless of all consequences; strong to defend another even at his own expense—strong to speak the troth and act the truth, though the very heavens

should fall. Strong to take hold of every duty, the smallest or greatest, and work ft out courageously ana faithfully. Strong to do perfectly all he attempts; errands, little tasks, lessons. Strong to correct his wrong habits, to put every one ot them down, and set up a good habit in its place. Strong to face any trouble, any disappointment; rainy days, when he wants bright ones; sickness; loss of play, things; loss of some customanr privilege, loss of some special expectation or hope, etc. Strong to bear all provocation and at short notice. Strong to be sweet, patient, noble, loving, lovable; and therefore strong for anq sure of the highest happiness. This is how your temper will serve you if you will resolve from this hour to be its master. You will gain contimially in all the best kinds of strength, and be equal to bear and to get good from whatever may happen to you. Try and appreciate what I say, dear, and resolve to be this sort of a boy, for he makes the same sort of a man, and that is the best kind of a man. God bless you and help you, darling, darling child, and may you and darling Charlie become the most loving of brothers and the most noble, hon-est-hearted and worthy apiong men. Always your loving Mother. P. 8. Don’t be discouraged at many little failures, but keep trying bravely. Let it De like going on and up, not back and dousn. Be faithful at school; don’t trouble your teachers, and have no trash in your pockets when those pockets are in school! — Springfield {Mass.) Republican.