Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1828-11-11

llttte SOCleIy OeSlNe tndt VI uiS S"''e''" - 49,
he loved with manly affection; but he knew not
what care was necessary to form their oispo-
si,ions, and instead Of esching them the prin-
ciples of duty, contented himself with securing
the correclnest Of their conduct and feeling, oy
requiring their submission TO him. This me-
chanical obedience could not guide them IN all
the events of life; besides, il Ief, on: OF vie" the
great distinctions between right and wrong on
which all duty must depend She never ihought
Of questioning her parents commands; out her
brother, as he grew older, with many marks OF
a. hne and generous spirit. betrayed at times
something resembling his fathers passion. In
their quie, life, however there was little TO call
for passion; all went on in harmony, and they
enjoyed as full measure Of happiness as is per.
mitted on earth.
AS the boy grew into man, his father gave
him the care Of his estate. Under a youthful
hand it rapidly increased in value; and as the
girl delighted to make improvements in her
brilliant little garden, the place was the admi-
ration Of the country. The father often sa, at
his door in the evening, while she was watering
the thirsty flowers, and watched with an eye OF
calm satisfaction the movements Of his son as
lie placed all in order for The night Who could
have thought, that trihins provocation coulc
profane the scene with earthly passion? But
trihes are powerful, because they find the heart
unguarded.
One dav when the son was directing the now
ers in the field, The signs of thunder storm
appeared in the west; clouds lay there like the
black ridges Of mountains, sometimes cIoven
10 their base by the Tightening shooting down
70 the horizon, and at intervals he heavy thun-
der came from the distance, and rolled far off
upon the wind. Seeing that his son took no
prec au,ion against the shower, the father stern.
" asked why he neglected T.. He answered
ncgligenrlv tina; the storm would not come near
them This was followed by command, the
command by a reply, till both were il furi
Gus passion. The fathers brow was black with
ungovrrnabie wrath, and his daughter came up
Just as he had charged his son to quit his
house, and never enter it again, the effect was
teri ble, the young mans lace grew icy pale!as
he cast glance Of defiance at his father aud
moved quickly away. II was too late for his
sister to follow him; and overcome with agony,
she tainted a. her fathers feet.
When she recovered the storm was rolling
over them in all It's power Her father was
bending over her, with an expression in which
anger had given way to self reprnach. Think
ing only of her brother, she said, eagerly, che
will return" bu. her father made her no reply.
He was medita,ing on his sons re resemblance 10
himself, and he felt that if ne had been driven
from the house Of his father, his pride would
not suffrr him 10 return; in truth he had parted
from his father in anger when he entered he
service Of his country, and mad only returned
in time TO receive a last bic ssing ane, 20 close
his eyes, The remembrance Of his rrmorse
urged him 10 follow and seek reeonc ilaiion
with his son; but whi'her should he follow him?
The night wen: down in the storm; he kissed
,:--.i..,h,sr with naI .e- i------, .~I
tired 20 his chamber; but she heard the low
sound Of his steps pacing the floor above her
th' ough the whole of that melancholy night.
The nexr morning at day break her father
had mounted his horse and was riding tow ards
New-Yrrk. Something seemed 20 whisper
that his SON would be found preparing to go to
sea. He went on, only hal,ing when his weary
horse required, paving no regard to the objects
on his way, and reached the city only on The
second day He made few hasty inquiries
Of friend, who told him his son was to sail
The same morning, and gave him the name
of the vessel. lie hurried to the wharf
and was told by an old seaman. vino STOOD
gazing at some object, that the vessel had sail.
ed little before; he pointed as he spoke, and
The miserable father saw The ship that contain
ed his son, standing gallantly out to sea For
some time he paced the wharf utterly uncon-
scious of the gaze OF the strangers around him;
every eye was bent on him with an express ion
Of surprise and compassion; indeed ry one
who observes the feelings Of the crowd will see
tina, suffering Of mind is regarded with re
>pec'ful tenderness which nothing else com,
mands. When he recovered his recollection,
ne returned TO his home like mourner from
new made grave, and as his daughter welcom-
ed him with kindness that met with no reply.
she felt tina, from that momen, it was her duty
to relieve his sorrow, and fold a mantle over
her own.
For more than year he continued in the
same painful state Of gloom. He sat every fair
day, before his door, apparently looking abroad
upon nature, but he no longer found charm
either in the beauty OF The earth or sky. Some.
times his neighbours would visit him, but thew
address TO engage his attention, and a,
last, weary of unavaiing efforts, they ceased to
come near his door. Blu, every one piled the
lovely girl, who thus enslaved herself to her
father, and many look Of homes: cdmiration
was cast on her as she walked with him to the |