Chapter I: The Cruel Boy

"EDDY! please don't hurt so. I can't bear to see you!" sobbed little Susy, wiping her eyes with the back of her fat hand.

"What a baby you are, to cry just for these little fishes," replied Eddy, in a contemptuous tone. "I don't believe they can feel anything."

"They do! they do! See how they kick about."

Eddy laughed aloud, "ha! ha! ha! who ever heard of fishes kicking? Now here's a fat fellow, I'll cut him up, and see him kick."

Susy, with a fresh burst of tears ran toward the house.

"What's the matter, my dear?" inquired her aunt, coming to the door.

The child hung her head. She did not like to complain of her cousin, but as the lady insisted, and asked again, "Where is Eddy? What is he doing?" she began,—

"We went down to the brook and a boy was there catching little mite of fishes; and when he had done, he gave us some to fry for our dinner, but Eddy said he didn't want to eat them, so he put them on a board and chopped 'em all up with his hatchet."

The lady gave a scream of horror. "Where is he? Show me quick, Susy."

"It makes me ache, in here," sobbed the child, putting her hand to her breast. "I can't bear to see him hurt them."

Mrs. Lander did not speak, but her face was very pale, and she hurried on to the place where Eddy was still at his cruel sport.

The boy was so intent upon his wicked employment that he did not hear their steps; but threw his hatchet to the ground quickly when he heard his mother's voice calling, "Stop, Eddy! Stop at once!"

Oh, what a scene that was! On the top of an old wall lay a piece of board covered with pieces of the fishes. Their pretty, shining scales glistening in the sun. One, the last of the number, lay with a piece chopped off its tail, writhing in its agony.

Tears filled the lady's eyes, as she turned with a shudder to the boy, and exclaimed,—

"O Eddy! O my son! what will become of you? what a cruel, wicked boy you are!"

"They're mine," cried the child, his face growing very red. "A boy at the brook gave them to me." He glanced angrily at his cousin, because she had, as he thought, called his mother.

Mrs. Lander shook her head. "I couldn't have believed you would do so," she said, in a sorrowful tone. "See," she added, picking up the hatchet, "this is covered with the blood of the poor creatures. You have made such a wicked use of your uncle's present, that I shall take it away from you."

"It isn't yours! you've no right to! Uncle said it was to be my own!" shouted the boy, now in a fury of passion. He even tried to snatch it from her hands, and when he found he could not, he threw himself on the ground, kicking and screaming with all his might.

"Eddy, stop this minute, and come with me," said Mrs. Lander, in a firm, decided tone. She took him by the hand, and though he dared not disobey; yet he showed by his struggles that he went reluctantly. He was a boy of quick passions, but the fit of temper soon passed away; and by the time they reached the house, he looked and felt really ashamed of his conduct.

Mrs. Lander led him away to a room by himself, and then left, after telling him she wanted him to reflect upon his cruelty and bad temper; poor little Susy following her to her chamber, where she seated herself on a low stool, looking very sober indeed.

Mrs. Lander had been cutting work, and now returned to it with a sad countenance. For some time not a word was spoken, but at last, the lady noticed that Susy looked pale, and said, "You had better run out and play, my dear; or get your dollies? and dress them for a walk."

"Please, aunt," said the soft voice, "I don't feel like playing now;" and then, in a minute, she lifted her eyes wistfully to her aunt's face as she asked, "Wont God forgive Eddy this time? I don't want him to be naughty any longer."

Her red lips quivered, and she choked back a sob as she gazed earnestly at her aunt, waiting for a reply, but the lady did not speak for a moment. She drew Susy to her side and kissed her tenderly, and then taking her by the hand led her away to Eddy's room.

The little fellow was very quiet now. He ran eagerly to his cousin and drew her into the room, and then, in a humble tone, said, "I'm very sorry, mamma, I vexed you. I've got over my passion now."

She put her hand on his head, but she did not smile; indeed her face looked very, very sad.

"Please forgive me?" urged the boy.

"Yes, I will gladly forgive you, Eddy; but your conduct makes me very unhappy. What comfort can I expect from a child, who, on every trifling occasion, gives way to his passionate temper? And then think how displeasing your behavior, this morning, has been to your heavenly Father. Have you asked him to forgive you?"

Eddy blushed as he hung his head.

"No, mamma," he faltered; "but I will now."

They knelt together, Mrs. Lander and her boy, with Susy close by his side, her loving face beaming with satisfaction. The lady' prayed first—that her son might truly repent of his sins and earnestly ask the help of God to become a good boy; then Eddy said his little prayer, begging forgiveness for all that he had done displeasing to his heavenly Father.

After this, Susy kissed him and smiled as she said, "I'm glad you're good, now, Eddy."

As his mother left the room, Eddy wondered that she said nothing about the fishes. Usually, after she had forgiven him his heart was light, and he loved to sit near her and watch her smiles; but now she sat busy with her work, and he thought her face was very sober.