p. 106 | THE COMMON WAY

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Dec 18, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 20, No. 7.

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THE COMMON WAY.

SCENE in a library; gentleman busy writing; child enters.

"Father, give me a penny."

"Haven't got any; don't bother me."

"But, father, I want it. Something particular."

"I tell you I haven't got one about me."

"I must have one; you promised me one."

"I did no such thing; I won't give you any more pennies; you spend too many. It's all wrong; I won't give it to you, so go away."

Child begins to whimper, "I think you might give me one; it's really mean."

"No; go away; I won't do it, so there's an end of it."

Child cries, teases, coaxes, father gets out of patience, puts his hand in his pocket, takes out a penny, and throws it at the child. "There, take it and don't come back again to-day."

Child smiles, looks shy, goes out conqueror, determined to renew the struggle in the afternoon, with the certainty of like results.

Scene in the street; two boys playing; mother opens the door, calls to one of them, "Joe, come into the house instantly."

Joe pays no attention.

"Joe, do you hear me? If you don't come, I'll give you a good beating."

Joe smiles and continues his play; his companion is alarmed for him, and advises him to obey. "You'll catch it if you don't go, Joe."

"Oh, no, I won't; she always says so, but never does! I ain't afraid."

Mother goes back into the house greatly put out, and thinking herself a martyr to bad children.

That's the way, parents; show your children by your example that you are weak, undecided, untruthful, and they learn aptly enough to despise your authority and regard your word as nothing. They soon graduate liars and mockers, and the reaping of your own sowing is but the natural consequence. —Phrenological Journal.