The Virginian. [volume] (Lynchburg [Va.]) 1822-1829, 1823-09-02

eyanescent as the fragrance Oh the f"se
Ills son, the only hope of his de"llblng
years, was lured by some dissolute com
panions, to Join in ti,eir reselry and dissi-
patian. Ills Nife had presented him Win
A beautiful boy, but the charms OF the one,
and the helpless innocence of the other.
failed any longer TO attract his attention
Parental authority vas exerted ~ VAN, 10
draw him from the destroying bowl But,
At times, reason would resume her EN-
pire over bis mind-place before him the
father whose venerable head he was strew-
ing with tie ashes Of alilicdon-ihe wife
of his bosom, sinking beneath the sorrows
that me had caused her, and the innocent
child, that in vain endeasoured 10 obtain
his caresses.
To escape from the thoughts that ban
ishcd peace from his mind, and hlled II
with the pangs of remorse, lIe entered as 4
private soldier in the array. Here: Tor a
while, he succeeded in lulllog the re-
proaches ef his conscience, amid the bursts
of re,elry, and the din of battle but often
in the still hour of Wghi, when standing az
a ccntinel TO the camp, gazing on the siieat
Heavens, glowing with stars, would the
adventures, deeds, aud crimes OF his past
life, rush upon his soul, aud plunge him
in deep melancholy, and agonizin5 dos
pair
His wife endeavoured to cheer his IN.
happy father, but she stood most IN need
of consolation. She concealed her scr
rows from every eye-but the canker
worm ranked in her heart the bloom OF
Il L.
smile of JOY no longer sparkhd IN her eye.
When she smiled il was in the bitterness OF
sorrow, and it was soon succeeded by tho
gloom Of cllreless pain. This could not
last long. She became confined to the
bed of sickness and beqneathins her only
son rs sacred legacy TO ilei father, she
expired with "A prayer upon her 'Ips Tor
her unfortunate husband.
The old man. crushed down by these
accumulated misfortnnes, continued 10
finger in the most painful state; but his
love for his son was not eXtlngulshed by
his crimes and ingratitudc. His fortune
had melted away III hquidatlng the debts
his son had contracted in the neighbour
hood, and he bad only sufficient remaining
for the support of himself and his little
grandson.
A year passed away, and he could obtain
no tldings of his son. He WIS sitting one
evening aftsr the sun had sunk beneath the
horizon, contemplating his last rays, gid
ing The clouds that were floating through
the heavens, when his thoughts inscnslbly
turned upon his son. The scene before
him was beautiful in the extreme. The
water reflected the light Of the sun in the
river before him, while the shadows of
evening were gradually approaching. He
raised, IN that hour of inspiralion, his eyes
to the Throne OF Heaven, and poured forth
the teryent prayer for his wrctched child,
His prayer was heard. The Father of
mercics granted the anxious wish Of the
parent, to ste his child, once more before
he descended into the silent grave. His
grandson came running from the house, To
tell him that soldier wished to see him.
a conviction of the truth flashed upon his
mind he rushed towards it, and IN the
next moment he was folded in the arms oi
his son, but so emaciated by reveiry and
gricf that he did not appear like the same
person. Repentance had driven him IL
his fathers fircsidc. When hc looked
round upon the desolation he had caused
where content and happiness once bloonned
so sweetly, he could not restrain his agita-
ted feelings.
His father wished him 10 remove Will
his son IL some other hsbitatlon for eve
ry thing that he looked upon at home, re
minded of happiness forever gone. II,
would not HIS health, destroyed by lii,
midnight resels, was finally ovclthrowu b.
the grief that prcyed upon his mind, ant
he was thrown upon the bed of sickness
He had returned TO the principles of In
early youth, repentant as he WAS, still hi
soul was cloudcd by former rccoIcctions
The old man read him from the volum,
of Eternal Life, the paables, and impress
ed them on his mind. His soul becam
calm and when his father read to him III,
! Joy which the return of one sinner woul,
cause ameng the hosts of heaven, despal
fed before the heavenly light of hope an,
faith, which, like two bright lamps. irradi
ated with their beams, The dark portals o
the tomb. He expired III his father
arms. Nothing is calculated tn max
such an impression On the mind, as lin
| i'"'''b Va NNIi'hb NV INV Wv
man, therefore, kept his grandson nea
! him, that his fathers death might make al
impression on his memory, which, at som,
tnture day, would be TO his advantage
To see the eyes glazing, and the feature,
convulscd in agony, and view the working
OF death in the convulsive movements o
the frame, is scene which will arrest tht
thonshtless, aud throw a gloom over Tia,
nost careless.
The old man unable to cultivate hi
landlords farm, or pay his arrears, wa.
forced to ask the passing stranger fol
charity which he once cheerfuly bestow.
ed, when in his power. He bad me fcre.
elll-We parted. As walked towards
home, my heart throbbed with PAIN at thi.
instance Of bitter misery. 1t would be
vain to attempt to describe my feelings
when l thought ca the old MANS love for
his wort HESS son which unrhillpd hv in