KIDD’'S OWN JOURNAL. 
GENTLENESS, AND ITS POWER. 
A woman’s—nay, a little child’s soft hand, 
With gentle patting easier doth command, 
And make the bristling boar to crouch and fall, 
Than any boisterous wrestler of them all. 
PLUTARCH. 
IT IS NOT NEEDFUL FOR US to dilate on 
the magic power of gentleness, which we 
have ever pronounced to be an irresistible 
argument when all others fail ; but we know 
too well the value of such a talisman, to be 
silent in its praises as opportunity offers. 
One half at least of the world’s misfortunes 
originate in their contempt for this virtue. 
Take our word for it, good people; we may 
always lead, and win, by kindness. Hard 
words, cruel speeches, opposition, and per- 
verseness, prevail neither with mankind nor 
with animals. But every thing falls before the 
sunshine of good-nature. We prove this daily. 
The subjoined fragment will fully illus- 
trate our meaning :— 
* fos ok 
* 
“T did not hear the maiden’s name; 
but in my thought I have ever since 
called her ‘‘Gentle Hand.’ What a magic 
lay in her touch! It was wonderful. 
‘< When and where, it matters not now to 
relate ;—but once upon a time, as I was 
passing through a thinly-peopled district of 
country, night came down upon me, almost 
unawares. Being on foot, I could not hope 
to gain the village towards which my steps 
were directed, until a late hour; and I 
therefore preferred seeking shelter and a 
night's lodging at the first humble dwelling 
that presented itself. 
“Dusky twilight was giving place to 
deeper shadows, when I found myself in the 
vicinity of a dwelling, from the small uncur- 
tained windows of which the light shone 
with a pleasant promise of good cheer and 
comfort. ‘The house stood within an enclo- 
sure, and a short distance from the road 
along which I was moving with wearied 
feet. Turning aside, and passing through 
an ill-hung gate, I approached the dwelling. 
Slowly the gate swung onits wooden hinges, 
and the rattle of its latch, in closing, did not 
disturb the air until I had nearly reached 
the little porch in front of the house, in 
which a slender girl, who had noticed my 
entrance, stood awaiting my arrival. 
‘« A deep, quick bark, answered almost like 
an echo, the sound of the shutting gate; and, 
sudden as an apparition, the form of an im- 
mense dog loomed in the doorway. I was 
now near enough to see the savage aspect 
of the animal, and the gathering motion of 
his body, as he prepared to bound forward 
upon me. His wolfish growl was really fear- 
ful. At the instant when he was about to 
spring, a light hand was laid upon his shaggy 
neck, and a low word spoken. 

“<«Don’t be afraid. He won’t hurt you,’ 
said a voice, that to me sounded very sweet 
and musical. 
‘<< | now came forward, but in some doubt as 
to the young girl’s power over the beast, on 
whose rough neck her almost childish hand 
stilllay. The dog did not seem by any means 
reconciled to my approach, and growled 
wickedly his dissatisfaction. 
“ «Goin, Tiger,’ said the girl—not in a voice 
of authority, yet in her gentle tones was the 
consciousness that she would be obeyed; 
and as she spoke, she lightly bore upon the 
animal with her hand, and he turned away, 
and disappeared within the dwelling. 
‘‘« Who's that ?’ A rough voice asked the 
question ; and now a heayvy-looking mau took 
the dog’s place at the door. 
“¢Whoare you? What’s wanted?’ There 
was something very harsh and forbidding in 
the way the man spoke. The girl now laid 
her hand upon his arm, and leaned with a 
gentle pressure against him. 
“ «How faris it to G—— ?’ I asked, not 
deeming it best to say, in the beginning, that 
I sought a resting-place for the night. 
“<To G !? growled the man, but not 
so harshly as at first. ‘It’s a good six miles 
from here.’ 
«¢ A long distance; and I’ma stranger and 
on foot,’ said I. ‘1f you can make room for 
me until morning I will be very thankful.’ 
“I saw the girl’s hand move quietly up 
his arm, until it rested on his shoulder, and 
now she leaned to him still closer. | 
“¢Come in. We'll try what can be done 
for you.’ There was a change in the man’s 
voice that made me wonder. 
‘<T entered a large room, in which blazed 
a brisk fire. Before the fire sat two stout 
lads, who turned upon me their heavy eyes 
with no very welcome greeting. A middle- 
aged woman was standing at a table, and 
two children were amusing themselves with 
a kitten on the floor. 
“¢ A stranger, mother,’ said the man who 
had given me so rud¢ a greeting at the door; 
and he wants us to let him stay all night.’ 
“The woman looked at me doubtingly 
fora few moments, and then replied, coldly : 
“«¢ We don’t keep a public house.’ 
“<< ]’m aware of that, ma’am,’ said I; * but 
nih has overtaken me, and. it’s a long way 
to G——.’ 
“<< Too far for a tired man to go.on foot,’ 
said the master of the house, kindly ; ‘so 
it’s no use talking about it, mother ; we must 
give him a bed.’ 
“So unobtrusively that I scarcely noticed 
the movement, the girl had drawn to the 
woman’s side. What she said to her I did 
not hear, for the brief words were uttered in 
a low voice; but I noticed that, as she 
spoke, one small fair hand rested on the 

