me.' The end of all this was, that the
boy had a sound whipping, was put to bed, and could not sleep all
night, because the mince-pie made his stomach ache. What an
accumulation of evils in this little scene! His health injured--his
promises broken with impunity--his mother's promises broken--the
knowledge gained that he could always vex her when she was in a
hurry--and that he could gain what he would by teasing. He always
acted upon the same plan afterward; for he only once in a while
(when he made his mother very angry) got a whipping; but he was
_always_ sure to obtain what he asked for, if he teased her long
enough. His mother told him the plain truth, when she said the
mince-pie would hurt him; but he did not know whether it was the
truth, or whether she only said it to put him off; for he knew that
she did sometimes deceive. When she gave him the pie, he had reason
to suppose it was not true it would hurt him--else why should a kind
mother give it to her child? Had she told him that if he asked a
second time, she would put him to bed directly--and had she kept her
promise, in spite of entreaties--she would have saved him a
whipping, and herself a great deal of unnecessary trouble. And who
can calculate all the whippings, and all the trouble, she would have
spared herself and him? I do not remember ever being in her house
half a day without witnessing some scene of contention with the
children.

"Now let me introduce you to another acquaintance. She was in
precisely the same situation, having a comfortable income and one
domestic; but her children were much more numerous, and she had had
very limited advantages for education. Yet she managed her family
better than any woman I ever saw, or ever expect to see again. I
will relate a scene I witnessed there, by way of contrast to the one
I have just described. Myself and several friends once entered her
parlor unexpectedly, just as the family were seated at the
supper-table. A little girl, about four years old, was obliged to be
removed, to make room for us. Her mother assured her she should have
her supper in a little while, if she was a good girl. The child
cried; and the guests insisted that room should be made for her at
table. 'No,' said the mother; 'I have told her she must wait; and if
she cries, I shall be obliged to send her to bed. If she is a good
little girl, she shall have her supper directly.' The child could
not make up her mind to obey; and her mothe