Bloomington herald. [volume] (Bloomington, I. T. [Iowa]) 1840-1849, 1842-09-16
From the Knickerbocker..
A T0uching Sketch OF Parental SO7r0sr.

"A few months ago buried my eldest son
A ane manly boy OF eight years Of age who
had never had days illness until that which
took MIN hence to be here no more. His death
occurred under circumstances peculiarly pain
ful to me. younger brother. the next in age
to him, delicate, sickly child from baby.
had been down for nearly fortnight with an
epidemic fever. In consequence Of the nature
Of the disease, used every precau.ion thar
prudence suggested to guard the members OF
my family against it. But Of this one. my
eldest, had but little fear he was SC rugged
and so generally healthy. Still, however. /
kept vieilant eye upon him, and especially
forbade his going into the pools and docks
near school, which he Was prone to visit.
"One evening came home wearied with a
long DAYS hard labor, and vexed at some lit
tie disappoin,menss. and found that he also
had Just come into the house, and that he was
wet, and covered with dock E.nd. / taxed
him with disobedience. and scolded him Sc
vorey-nlore so than / had ever dane before;
and then harshIy ordered MIN 10 MS Ded He
opened his lips. for an exculpa,ory reply as !
supposed, hn, s.ernly checked him; when
with mite, sorrowful couptenance and a
swelling breast. he turned away and wen'
slowly to his chamber. My heart smo.e me
even at the moment. though felt conscious
Of doing IN, fa,her's duty. But how much
keener did feel the pang when was inform
| ed in The course Of the evening by nelghbor.
| that nv boy had gone to the dock at the ear
| mes, solicitation Of younger and fav"rl'e play.
| mate. and the especial permission Of his school
master. in order to recover cap belonging to
TIE former, which had blown over the wharf.
| Thus learned that what had treated with
nwonted severity as fault, was but the i'm
pulse Of generous nature which, forge'tul OF
! self. had hazardei perhaps life for another. Ii
was bu, the quick prompting If tina, many
spirit which had always enheavored to en-
graft upon his susceptible mind, and which,
| young as he was, had already manifested IL
! self on more than one OCCASION.
! "How utterly now did l regret my harsh
ness. and resolve to make amends 10 his grew
ed spirit in the morning! Alas. that morning
never come to him in health. Before retiring
fer HE night. however. | crept to his low col
and bent over him. A tear had stolen down
upon his cheek. and rested there. kissed j,
Of 5ni he sler, so calmly, that did not ven.
lure 10 disturb him. The next day he awoke
with raging fever on his brain. and in forty.
elgh, hours was no more! He did not know
| me Wntn / was N[St CdliPu 10 DPUssIUts
nor al any moment af,erward. though in silent
| agony bent over him until death and darkness
| closed the scene. would have given worlds
| to have whispered one kind word in his ear,
| and have been answered; bu, il was not per-
| United. Once indeed a smile. thought Of
recognition. lighted up his eye, and leaned
eagerly forward. But it passed quickly away.
and was succeeded by the cold unmeaniug
glare, and the wild tossing OF the fevered
limbs, that las:rd till death came to his relief.
Every thing now see tina, belonged TO
him reminds me Of the lost one. Yesterday
found scme rude pencil sketches which il
was his deligh, to make for the amusement o!
his Younger brother: to-day. in rummaging an
old close, came across his boots, still cover.
ed with dockMud as when he last wore them
| and every morning aud evening ! pass the
ground where his voice rang the merrIest a
| mong his play-maies. All these things speak
| 10 me wildly Of his active life; but cannot,
| though often Try, recall any other expression
Of his face than the mute, mOurnful one with
! which he turned from me on the night SO
harshIy repulspd him. Then my heart hleeds
afresh. Oh! how careful should all be,
that in our daily conduct toward Those little
| beings sen, us by kind Providence, we are
no. laying mp for ourselves The sources Of ma.
ny future bitter tear: How cautious. tina,
neither by inconsiderate word or look we IN
justly grieve their generous feeling Aud
how guardrdly ough, we TO weigh every ac-
,icn against its motive. lest in moment Of
| excitement, We be led to me,e out to The venla'
errors of the heart the punishment due only "a
wilful cr,me!. Alas. perhaps few parents sus'
peci how often the sudden blow, the fierce re-
buke, is answered in their children by the
tears, not Of passion. no, Of physical or men.
tai PAIN bu. Of . loving but grieysd or ousrsg-
ed nature::"