Chapter II: Eddy's Resolution

WHEN Eddy went to his room for the night, his mother always went with him, and, as he said, they had a fine time together. First he knelt by his low chair and repeated his prayers and hymns, and then she added a few simple petitions, asking the protection of God through the night. After this he loved to call to mind the actions of the past day, to receive praise when he had tried to conquer his quick temper, or encouragement to do better when he confessed his faults. On the evening following this day, Mrs. Lander summoned them earlier than usual, and then said, "I have a story, a true story, to tell you—one which I want you, Eddy, to remember as long as you live."

"There was once a little boy, whom I will call James. When he was very young he began to show a cruel disposition. He loved to stand near the window and pull the wings off the flies. Then he would laugh and clap his hands to see how they writhed about in their agony."

"As he grew older he tormented every animal on the place. One day he caught two kittens, and having tied their tails together, hung them over the clothes-line. Then he ran to call his companions, and tried to make them enjoy the cruel sport as much as he did. When his sister came home from school, and found what he was doing, she burst into tears. Instead of soothing her by the promise that he would never do so again, he laughed as he related the torture of the poor kittens."

"His father had a favorite dog, named Frisk, a faithful creature, to whom all the family were attached; but so dreadfully cruel was this wicked boy, that one day when his parents were absent from home, he found a large piece of board, and nailed Frisk to it by his four legs, each being stretched to its utmost length."

"The poor dog whined and cried most piteously, but James persevered until the poor creature was firmly fastened to the board. Having done this, he ran to cell his sister, and stood laughing at her distress."

"'Oh, take him off! take out the nails quick! he'll die!' screamed the poor girl. 'O James, see how the blood runs!' Finding he would not listen to her entreaties, she ran to the nearest house to call a neighbor; and they had just succeeded in releasing Frisk from his dreadful position, when her parents drove into the yard."

"'If he were my boy,' said the neighbor, after he had related in what a situation he found the poor dog, 'If he were my boy, I should give him a taste of the horsewhip for his cruelty. I've heard of his tricks before to-day.'"

"James was whipped most severely, besides being confined to his room for two days; but it did him no good. Only the next week, in a fit of passion, he threw one of the kitties into a boiler of hot water, where it died in dreadful agony."

"James was a bright boy in his studies, and almost always stood at the head of his class at school, but his schoolmates despised him for his fiery temper and his cruel disposition. He seemed to like nothing so well as to see others suffer. Even the little children at the school were afraid of him, for he often fixed pins in the cracks of their seats, so as to make them scream with pain, or hid their dinner-pails, and then laughed when they cried with hunger."

"I cannot stop to tell you all the wickedness of James's early life; but must pass over a great many years, till the time he was a man. He was quite distinguished for his learning, and having sense enough to conceal his wickedness, he had come to occupy an important station in society."

"One day a man who owed him a bill, entered his office, when, in order to avoid paying it, James struck the man a violent blow which killed him. Then he cut the body into small pieces, burning some of it, and hiding the rest. He was suspected of the crime, tried, condemned, and hung; and this was the end of the cruel boy."

"O mamma!" cried Eddy, "I'll never do so again. I'll never be cruel any more!"

Susy sat wiping away her tears with her dimpled hand, when Mrs. Lander called them both to her side. "Do you wonder, now, my dear, that I was so distressed this morning when I saw you chopping up the little fishes! My heart ached lest you should become like that wicked man."

"I never will hurt anything again," urged Eddy, trying to keep back his tears. "I will try to be kind to them, as Susy is."

"That is right, my dear boy. If ever you feel inclined to be cruel, think of the sad end of James; think of what the Bible tells you, 'The merciful man regardeth the life of his beast,' and pray God to help you to be merciful. Remember, too, my dear Eddy, that unless you learn to conquer your hasty temper, you will do many things while, in a passion, which you will afterwards regret. Every time you check yourself and control your temper, it will become easier for you to do so, while every time you give way to it, you make it more difficult to reform."

"But, mamma," cried Eddy, "sometimes I'm as pleasant as possible, and cook, or the nurse, worry me, and make me mad. It's not my fault then. I'd be good enough, if I was let alone."

"It is wrong in any one to try to vex you, my child," said his mother; "but that does not excuse you for doing wrong. We must all expect to meet with trials, but we must not give way to them. Ever since your uncle Edward gave you a drum and sword, you have liked to play soldier. Now, I'll tell you a good game, one which the Bible recommends. Call your quick temper, your impatience, and fretfulness, your enemies, and fight them as much as you please. Be too much of a man and a soldier to let your passion gain the victory over you; but fight till you conquer, then you may beat the drum over every successful battle."

Eddy's eyes flashed with a new light. He stood up proudly, gazing first at his mother, then at Susy, and at last exclaimed, "I'll do it!"

Willie's Grave.