Literary cadet and Rhode-Island statesman. [volume] (Providence, R.I.) 1827-1829, 1828-05-07
Vices he used all his influence to en-

rage IN lncin lIc pure anu ini'Cch'.
Edwards pleasing manners aud hr'!
liant genius soon attracted his alicn-
ton and his cnvous spirit longed TO
see him degraded to a level with hm-
self. For this purpose he prolrsscd
a violent friendship for the unsusPcc-
ing youth. lie perceived that Ed.
wards morals were firmly fixed and
that il would be necessary I" use eau
ton in his cnhcavor, TO sap the foun-
da,ion Of his vir;uons principles. nc
gradually unfolhcd TO him his h,''
lis and plans of amusement, as ne
termed them. Edward rccoiled from
them at first with d>likc-hc felt that
il was course of conduct contrary to
that which he had been taught WAS
right but throwing around him the
wi!chcry Of his manners ana address,
William prevailed Oh him 'imc after
time. to accompany him III his parties
of pleasure. until at length those
pleasures of which he had par'akcn
through the influence Of lis lricad,
were grecdily sought after irom the
more powerful motive Of pleasing
himself. He still wrote to l'iS mother
in the most aiI,ctiona,c manner, and
often upbraidcd himself with the
course he was pursuing, which he
knew was contrary to her advice bn'
her admonitioms were gradually ellie
ed by the overwhelming tide of de-
pravily which daily hardened his once
noble and feeling heart. At the cn'!
! Of six months he returned home, bnt
so changed it was no longer dear to
him. - He still loved his mother a'd
sisters, but the consciousness OF i'-
own unworthincss made him unhappy
in their society. His mother pcrcciv-
cd it, and anxious'y inqrircd In"
cause but he eyadcd her Inquiries.
for he could not yet pain her by re-
cital of his CoIlics. He returned Ia
college and plunged still deeper III
vice Of every kind. William NJ. was
his constant companion-hc cnconr-
aged him in every guilty pnrs"'t-hc
ridiculcd his religious opinions. and
taught him the horrid cant OF lntidclI'
~, in which he was an adc2t. Jhr
consequence was at the cni of ano'h
cr six months, he was ig"ominiousl,
expelled from college, for n crime o
the blackcst dive, and ovcrpowerc,
with shame, fed. no one knew whlt'
or. None but parent can i'rn M
idea Of the feelings Of his cxccIlrn
mother. She had suspected from h''
manner that all was not right. hat sh'
was far from supposing that her once
noble and ingenious son, had. in 81
short time, become the victim ofth;
most degrading vices. Bitterly di'
she mourn her bli.htcd hop"s-yc
with the mcckncss and resignation o
"a Christian, she bowed submis>ivc',
to the will Of that Being whom sh
firmly believed ordered all things io
the good Of his children. She cause
inquiry TO be made rs to the route h
had taken, but every effort to discov
f or his retreat proved unavaiIing. Sh
now devoted her time exclusively I
r the formation of the minds and ma;
ncrs of her daughters. II was her OF
ly delight TO cultivate the genius
ncillect apparent in them-to beho!
, them daily unfolding their bcautI'
under her fostering care.
!, Two years fled thus rapidly ava
5 and as yet they had received no t''
. lngs Of the wanJcrcr aud allhon4
: at times the thoug hts of him caused h
|, mother the most painful feelings, y
: she struggled to repay the aifrc'io
:. ale attentions of her childrcn w'th It
o smile of chccrfuincss, and felt whit
n she looked at them she had yet mut
d cause for thankiuiacss.
l. Ga the cvrnin. Of II saltry dry
!. June. Mrs. w. had rs usual conrcn'
- her little family for The purposes
l. devotion; she had thought mach dh
At ing the day of her absent child, a:
j, with her heart unusually dePrc>sc
al she fcrvcnIiy implorcd her heaven
at Father to restore him TO her arms.
$ The door was open as the heat W
rs excessive, and the dim twilight thrc
al ITS deepest SHADE across The room a
rd added TO the solemn and imprcssI
lc nature Of the sceac. As she conCiIi
r cd her supplications, n long draw
al sigh attracted her attention; and lur
ed Ing towards the door she bchcId knc'
Is, ing Oh the threshold the shalowy al
on cmaciatcd form Of her long lost, Il
beloved Edward. in moment