The Iron Rule

ke of spending daily a few quickly passing minutes with her, he had subjected himself to reprimand, punishment and disgrace. And his mind instantly reacted agains

verseness, could have subdued him. But for the strong attachment felt for Emily, he wo

chool, but was careful not to linger in her company go long as before. But this pleasure was at length denied him. A person who frequently saw them together, mentioned the fact to Mr. Winters, who immediately reproved his daughter for the association, and positively forbade its continuance. Emily had ever been obedient to her parents in all things, and this command, grievo

e streets until nearly twelve o'clock. Then he repaired to the neighborhood of her school, and waited to see if she was among the scholars at the time of their dismissal.

n? I've looked for

of Emily in an instant, and she gent

gazing upon her downcast face, and then turned from her and walked rapidly away. As he did so, the little girl lifted toward him her

r years, but who now, from some cause unknown to him, had become suddenly estranged. "I don't care for anything now," he repeated. "Let them send me to sea, or anywhere else, if they will! I don't care! I'm not g

d his head supported on his hands, for some two or three minutes, when he was startled b

was before him, and her eyes were now fi

, "don't be angry.

eagerly inquired the bo

said I m

d. It seemed as if she c

d wh

essed indignation

s me when you are angry!" sa

er say?" asked the

et you as I went to school

som. He was about giving a passionate vent to his feelings, when he was restrained by the look of distres

I as

in his thoughts, and then, seeing the tears

ed the little girl, laying her hand upo

But it's hard. I'd rather see you than anybody. I don't care

s face grew pale, and sh

t send you to

end me to sea if I didn

rew. I know you will. Oh, it wou

ef be there as anywhere

't meet any more as we go to school; b

he heavy weight that pressed

see each oth

chool; but there will be other chances. Good-by! I wouldn't like fath

s heart he returned home, where he found no difficulty in provoking some reaction, and in falling under the quickly excited displeasure of his father, who was ever more inclined to seek than overlook causes of reproof. The consequence was, that when he left home for school in the afternoon he felt little inclination

e boy was absent. He should have be

ed Mr. Howland, as the

Mrs. Howland, in a voice touched

me since school

N

uch a boy!" excla

as been kept in," s

s teacher and ask if he was dismisse

errand. He soon returned with word tha

nds of Mr. Howland, and the mot

out him all day," m

said Mr. Howland, as he pushed

es

? I've tried everything in my power to rest

d be heard in the street. For a few moments all was breathless expectation. The sound of the servant's feet, as she moved along the passage to the door, throbbed on

river with some other boys in a boat, from which he had fallen into the water, and was now brought home to his parents, to all appearance, lifeless.

hing like pity took the place of anger. During the two days that the lad was convalescing, his father said little to him; but what little he did say was spoken kindly, and with more of a parental sentiment therein than had been apparent for years. Electrically did this sentiment reach the heart of Andrew. Once when Mr. Howland too

ing of power over the perverse boy, and this power might have been exercised, had the father possessed enough of wisdom and self-denial, until he had gained a complete control over him. But alas! he did not possess this wisdom and self-denial. He was a hard man, and believed in no virtue but th

ally and to attend diligently to his studies. But soon the angry reaction of his father, against little