Frightening Children to Sleep.
A LADY overheard her nurse-girl the other night talking to the little child she was putting to sleep, and among other legends of the nursery in which she indulged was this:— "If you don't go right to sleep this very minute, a big, awful black bear, with eyes like coals of fire, and sharp, white, cruel teeth, will come out from under the bed and e-a-t y-o-u a-l-l u-p!" The poor little thing nestled down under the clothes, and after a long season of terror fell asleep to dream frightful dreams of horrid bears eating her up. That night when the stolid nurse had composed herself in her own comfortable bed and put the light out, there came a sudden rap at the door, and the voice of the mistress called loudly through the panels:— "Maggie! Maggie! for mercy sake get up as quick as you can! There's a fearful burglar under your bed, and as soon as you get asleep he's coming out to rob and murder you!" At the word burglar she sprang screaming from the bed, tore open the door and fell in hysterics into the hall. The lesson was even more instructive than the mistress had designed; but when the girl's fear was calmed she said to her:— "You did not hesitate to tell my little delicate child, who could not possibly know that it was a lie, a cruel story of a bear under her bed; now, when I treat you to the same kind of slumber-story, you are nearly frightened to death. Tomorrow you can go into the kitchen and work—you are not fit to care for little children." How many children are there who, every night of their lives, are frightened to sleep?—Selected.