WHICH WAS THE TRUE GENTLEMAN?
By M. C. W.
In the family I am going to tell you about, there was a King, a Queen, and a six-year-old Prince. You see they were members of a royal family. One morning the Queen had been unusually busy. Prince had been working steadily all the time without a murmur. Uncle, fifteen years of age, had made Prince a bow and arrow, and was very anxious to teach Prince how to use it, and Prince was equally anxious to be taught. When the work was all finished, Prince said, “Now, Mama Queen, is there anything more for me to do?” “No, Prince, unless I get time to wash the cooking dishes, then there would be those to wipe.” “All right, you call me when you are ready.” The little fellow went out to play. Peal after peal of laughter could be heard as Uncle patiently taught Prince how to use the bow. About fifteen minutes afterward, the Queen called, “Prince, would you take this out for me?” In he came, telling what fun he was having. When he brought the pan back, he said, “Dishes ready?” “Well, call me when they are.” In a short time the dishes were ready. The Queen called, “Come, Prince, all ready now.” The bow and arrow were immediately put away. His little white apron put on, and the dishes were soon wiped. It was too late for any more play before dinner, but not a frown was seen on his little face. Another morning, as the clothes were being washed, the Queen asked Uncle if he would wash the laundry floor, as she was not feeling very well. “Certainly,” was the cheery response. The clothes were carried to the line, the laundry ready to be cleaned. Where was Uncle?—Fixing his wheel. When the clothes were nearly hung out, the Queen asked, “Aren’t you going to clean the laundry for me?” “Yes, but it does not have to be done now, does it?” “It does not have to be done, but we want to get the house cleaned and in order as early as possible.” When it suited his convenience, he came in to clean the laundry. Now, mothers, which was the true gentleman? Can you see any difference in the training of the two boys? Which was the better? The Prince was an adopted child. The Queen had been told, many times, that if Prince had been her own child, she could not have been so firm with him. Mothers, are we to yield our will to our children, or shall they yield to us? The Lord says, “They [the children] should not control you, but you them, not harshly, not overbearingly, but with a firmness and steadiness of purpose.” “There is but little stability or firmness of character, because the training and education of children from their cradle is superficial.” The habits formed in youth will grow with the growth and strengthen with the strength, and will generally be the same in after-life, only continually growing stronger.