The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1838-01-09

at Il loss 10 determine III whose bosom duty and
affection preponderated. Hope once more sprung
up IN the bosom of Mrs Elmore, and its hallow-
ed whisperngs told her that Frederick would
one day rise to wealth and distinctions:-that his
hlla pley would smooth her passage to the
grave, and obllterate from her heart the years of
her suffering. No privation was too great could
she but afford to her son the means Of future re-
spectability.
AT The age OF fifteen, with no instructor bur
his mother, he acquired u valuable education-
AT that period, pious merchant of St. Louis.
who was on Il visit to that settlement, struck with
the virtues of the son, proposed to take him as
a clerk, provide literally for his support, and at
the age of twenty one, take him as a partner in
his extensive business. The prospect for the
advancement of Frederick was too brilliant for
her to hesitate, and her maternal feelings were
sacrificed to his interest.
Almost every week brought to the anxious,
mother letter from her son, filled with express
sions of the Warmest affection; and when he Wis
tied her in the holidays and bestowed upon her
the presents which the merchant gave him for
his mother, her grateful heart felt more than re-
paid for all its former suffering.
The last year of his clerkshp arrived, and a
few months would find him the partner of an
extensive concern. His affection more than ever
breathed the affection that sWelled the bosom of
his pious mother. He had already selected a
neat, but small house Cor her, in the most delight
full part Of the town. "My dear MOTHER" said
he in one of his letters, ''you shall labor no more
shall now shortly be able to support all YOUR
wants feel that The hopes have so long cher
ished, of rendering your days happy, will soon
be realized. | thank God that my mother is
spared to enjoy the fruits of the toll and anxiety.
she has so long endured for me. The hope of,
placing you above want, of rendering your de-
clining years happy, has been the object of all
my hopes, and cheered me in all my labors.
"You will be the mistress of the house l have
procured, and shall again live with you, and
endeavor, by anticipating your every want to
discharge part of the debt of gratitude which
| owe you. All the respect that is paid me by
the wise and the good, all the bright prospects
that are before me, all are owing to YOU, my dear
and incompatible mother"
Where is the mother whose heart would not
have sweled with anticipated joys? Past sor-
rows We're forgotten, and in every supplication to-
Him who had sustained her in the hour of ex-
IRENE suffering, heartfelt thanks were rendered
for the gift of such son.
Young Gilmore did not fatter hmselfin saving
to his parent that ne was respected; for no one in
the town where he resided was more universally
esteemed. The near approach of the period
the attention paid to him. 1t the
wish of the merchant that he should now mingle
more frequently in society, and form such &C
quaintances as would be suitable 10 partner in
one of the most extensive mercantile houses in
the State. Young Gilmore was every where a
welcome guest His own merits, and the reflect
ed character of his future partner, ensured for
ion and wealth. The same custom shat now
prevails, of pressing all company to the side board,
to drain the poisoned cup to its very dregs, was
then in existence.
cued, and at length laughed away; and long be-
fore he even suspected himself to he in danger,
the most fearful uroads had been made upon
his habits of temperance; his good name was
lettering to its fall, and the confidence of his
plover in his integrity effectuuy shaken. His
m his rDOthpr bppame shorter and less FREE
quent; but she was far from suspecng the fatal
change which n few short months had wrought,
for she readily believed his excuses that pressure
of business increased, the time of partnership
approached, and afforded him little leisure to-
write.
The admonitons of his benefactor not
wanting to recall him from the lite of dissipation
into which he had plunged. Like the bird
charmed by the fascinating power OF serpent,
he would recede approach, recede, and hutter in
before the open Jaws of the devouring,
enemy, till at last he sank down a helpless I'M
struggling victim. Driven, at length from the,
employment he had so long, and with such bril-
liant prospects followed bankruptin fortune and
fame, the doors of the respectable were closed
against him, and he was now companion ofthe.
vulgar and the vile, whose haunts he had hitherto
beheld only with loathing. When he could no
longer supply them with the means of dissipation
he was driven forth into the world, devoid alike
of the means of dissipation, and Of sustaining a.
miserable existence.
1t was then the mild season of spring. The
prairies were clothed In verdure, and the ever
varying song of the hooking bird was heard
amid the boughs GOT the budding trees. Mrs
Gilmore had swept her cottage and was seated at
the door, looking out upon the scene OF beauty
and gladucss which the retutn of spring presents
in the soft climate of the west Her thoughts
reverted to Frederick. Again and again, the pious
affections of gratitude to the Oliver of all good,
for preserving him as blessing to her declining
years were then breathed forth. Just at that
moment her eye caught two of her neighbors
approaching, one OH each side, sustaining dirty,
meagre young man, evidently in the last stage OF
beasy intoxicaton. She thanked God that ne
had preserved her Frederick from such a course
of iniamyl; aud half expressed a.hope that the
mother of the drunken stranger was laid where
her heart could not feel the bitter anguish OF
worse than bereavement. They reached the
door, and in spite of his rags and drunkenness,
She beheld her o,on SON! She uttered shrek OF
despair. that would have penetrated a breast of