The daily Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1841-1845, 1843-09-15


Lesson for parents "A few months ago. buried my
eldest son, fine manly boy Of eight years OF age,
who never had days illness until that which took
him hence TO be seen no more Ills death occurred
under circumstances peculiarly painful to me-
younger brother, the next IN age To HIM, delicate
sickly child from baby, had been down for nearly
fortnight, with epidemic fever 10 consequence OF
the nature of the disease | used every precaution
hat prudence sugges ed TO guard the other members
of the family against it. But of this one my eldest
had but little fear he was rugged, and general
y healthy. Still however, kept vgilant eye upon
hlm, and especially forbid him gong into the pools
and docks, near his school, which he was prone 10
visit
One evening came home wearied with long
days hard labor, and vexed at some little disappont
ments, and found also that he had Just come into the
house, and that he was wet, and covered with dock
mud. / taxed him with disobedience, and scolded
him severey-more so than ever had Beforehand
then harshly ordered him TO bed He opened his lips
for exculpatory reply, as supposed, but sternly
checked HIM when, with mute, sorrow iu counte-
nance, and swelling breast, he turned away and
went slowly to his chamber. Wy heart smOte me,
even at that moment, though felt conscious of but
doing fathers du,y-how much keener did | feel
the pang, when was informed in the course OF the
evening, by neghbor, that my boy had gone to the
dock the earnest solicitation of younger and favo-
rite playmate and by the especial permission OF ms
schoa luaster order To recover cap belonging 10
the former, which had blown off the wharf Thus
learned that what had treated with unwonted sese-
rity fault was but the impulse II agenerous ma
ture, which, iorgetu Of self, had hazarded perhaps
life for another. II but the quick prompting OF
that manly spirit which had always underworld TO
graft upon his susceptible mind and which, young as
re was, had already manifested itself ON more than
one occasion
How bitterly did | regret my harshness, and re-.
solved 10 make amends to his greyed spirit IN the
qqinG Ala tkol morRing never came 70 bum in
crept 10 his low cot, aud bent over him. tear had
stolen down his cheek and rested there. kissed II
off, but he slept swecty, and so calmly, that did
not venture 10 disturb him. The next day he awoke
with a raging fever on h brain, and in forty eight
! hours he was no more! lie did not know me when
! terward-though | bent over him untl death and
darkness closed the scene would have given
worlds TO have whispered one kind word in his ear,
and have been answered, but il was not permitted
Once, indeed a smile OF recognition lighted up ;
eye, and | leaned eagerly forward But il passed
quickly away and succeeded by the cold un-
meaning glare, aud the wild tossing of the leNered
/ limbs that lasted till death came 70 his relief
Every thing ! that belonged TO him re-
minds Of the lost one. Yesterday, found some
rude pencil sketches which it was his delight to
make for the amusement Of his younger brother to-
day, IN rummaging an old closet, came across his
! boots still covered with dock mud when he last
| wore them and every u urnIng and evening | pass
the ground where his voice rang the merricst among
his paymatcs, Al these things speak wildly Of his
active life but cannot, though often Try, TO recall
/ any other expression on hi- lace Than that mute,
muuruful one, with which he turned from me the
/ night | so harhy rcpulsed him. Then my heart
bleeds afresh. O, how careful should all be, tai
I IN our daily conduct towards those hlte beings sent
rs by kind Providence, are not laying up for
ourselves the sources Of many bitter tear! How
cautious, that neither by ncOusiderate word or look,
we unJusty greye their generous feelings And how
guardedly ought We to weigh every action against ITS
motive, lest in a moment OF excitement, We he led
to mete out to the yena Of the heart the pun
| ishment due only 10 wiilul crime Alas perhaps
few persons suspect how often the sudden blow, the
fierce rebuke answered by their children in tears,
not of passion, not Of hyscal mental pain, but OF
/ loving, Of grieyel or outraged nature.