Page 59 - HSLChristmasAnthology

HSL Christmas Anthology Page 59
36 THE CHRIST-CHILD
boy gave her his hand, she jumped for glad
ness. She introduced him to the other chil
dren, as a new comrade, and they sung a
welcome round him.
For a day or two, Wolfgang behaved
tolerably well ; but his evil habits were
strong, and he soon began to be quarrel
some and mischievous. Heinrich was nurs
ing a few currant-bushes in his garden, with
great care. The bad boy dug them up by
the roots, and when Heinrich came to look
at them, he laughed and mocked at him.
Heinrich grew very red in the face, and be
gan to double up his fists. But, luckily, he
remembered that the boys had been told to
go to the Father-House and ask advice of
their teacher, whenever they were in trou
ble, or tempted to do anything wrong.
Therefore, he did not say one word, but
went straight to the Father, and told him
the story. " You say you wanted to beat
Wolfgang," replied the good man: "would
that make him a better boy ? " " No, sir,"
replied Heinrich ; for he knew that beating
never made him better. " Do you want to
punish him, or do you want to make him a
better boy?" asked the teacher. Heinrich
hesitated ; but finally answered, " I did want
'to have him punished ; but I ought to want