Herald of the times. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1830-1846, 1841-03-04
From the Ladys Book.
THE HORSE BLANKET.
IAN INTERESTING TALE OF TRUTH
bY N. {. BROOKS.
"FiliaI ingratitude
~ not rs II this mouth should tear this hand
I.,r .nd Al

as the most Important OF the Decaloguc,
for obedience To parents ls not merely
the first social duty which devolyes upon
man, bat the first of all duiies--even
before obedience 10 Heaven. The in
iant mind can comprehend the claims OF
parental authority, ms rtStble power,
at an earlier period than II can fecog-
nize those Of The inrisibie divine majes-
~ and IN rendering homage 10 the re-
quireincnts of the former, II is prepared
Tor submitting lis faculties 10 the guidance
of the latter the parent on earth Is, TO
the dawning intellect Of The child, the
visible representative OF the Father IN
heaven.
Hence The importance Of the early
inculcatlon, and the proper discharge OF
this duty-ihe first which we owe Ia
man-ihe first to lead our minds by
necessary graduation TO the love aud
obedience oi God. Ii the first impul-
ses Of the heart be right will they not
be likely to continue SO? If the first
duties OF life he performed properly, has
not the soul been strengthened ~ vlftue
TO discharge those which may succeed!
But alas # the child casts aside tho
allegiance which he owes TO his parents
-trampling alike on the better instincts
If nature and The law Of God, who may
have hope that this after course will be
in Obedience 10 the dictates Of Heaven
of virtue or Of honor? Ii the stream
be poisoned at its iount, what power
shall purify its waters in their devious
meanderings.
Henry Addington was n tradesman
who kept shop in one Of the humber
streets of London lie was of obscure
parentagc, but of correct morals and
good feelings. Without education aud
with but ordinary understanding, he had
been enabled by early industry and eco
nomy to realize funds To commence shop
keeping in "a small way. His strict at
tcntlon To the affairs OF his store, his
probny, and his obliging disposition soon
extended his business aud fortune ran
with current forever deepening aud
widening the channel Of gam, until ho
began To look forward TO Independence.
In lime, he actually became wealthy, but
ia an inauspIcious Toment forgot hls
usual prudence, and tempted by the ex-
travagnnt promises Of another trades
man, conhded most Of his funds to bIn
TO be expended in a magnificent specu-
lation. The failure Of the enterprise
and tie dishonesty of the merchant, with
whom he had established the connexlon,
nearly ruined hlm-in the short space
of twelve months the earnings and gains
of neatly u fourth Of century were
pone-uud he was left almost destitute
10 commence the world anew, trusting
10 the slow yet certain additions OF pru-
dent trade to repair the runs OF deceit"
fu speculation. A new motive was
added to insure renewed exerlioD, for,
sometime before his losses, he had taken
a wife. and The wish was natural To make
n prudent provision for his family. II is
honest and persevering endeavors. were
crowned with due success, and he be-
uan to recover from the blow which his
affairs had received until he had satls-
fed the claims that were against hn,
and held free OF debt a stock oi con.
siderable value.
In few years his wife died leaving
? one son, a child OF seven years, the sur
1 yiyor of several children that had been
: the fruit Of their marriage. Fletcher
being thus the only natural tie That re-
NAMED to The iradesman, the affection
which had been bestowed upon the
others, seemed to be concentrated upon
him and he was accordingly nurtured
with yreat tenderness His incllnations
were seldom ihwal,ed, his humor was
INDUCED and his wishes gratiied, how
ever exorbuant-in n word, he was a
pet-and as is usual with pets, the spoil
. ed child of indulgence.
Conscious OF his own mental dehclcn-
cies, the father was anxious 10 afford his
son the advantage of a good education,
o and therefore sent him 10 the most expen-
: s,ye schools. Fletcher mingled hero
Il with those who were from walks oi lile
Q superior TO that in which he moved
= and IN the little friendly vIsitations which
:, he made 10 the houses oi his school iel-
= lows. Witnessed splcndor and display ol
q living that made him look with contempt
r on the h1mble appointments ot his owT
;. home. A passion for luxury and ambl
: tious parade became, in his matured life
one of his strongest excliements. Al
o though his fathers simple manners, and
plain dress and conversation were ri
times mortiiying 10 his pride, Fleichr'
was not insenslble TO the kindness "hIrh
he had experienced-he was IN reality
"A grateful for the love and beneh's o
10 which he had been the recipient hne
- the good old man in the innocence ono
N (ondness of his heart, IN The humble es'''
mate which he formed Of his own char
= ac,er, was led to Pgrdon his sons 'mpro
a" p,,.ty. even when he seemed To reRar'
Ii. with modification aud disdain the plal'
Y. understanding aud aocient manners O
tho auihur oi his existence.
Fletcher in due time was associate
n. with his father in trade, and the pro'nr
~. despatch of the former with the e1ps
~ rience of the latter, insured general sue
s'l cess in their enterprises. but Of Iens'
10, Fletcher determined to mniry, and ~
wv portuned his father TO re'ne from bus
pe.p 10 domestic ease, and ssve up IN