The North-Carolina standard., 1843-04-26
A TOUCHING SKETCH OF PARENTAL
SORROW

SORROW
A few months ago buried nv eldest son, fine
manly boy OF eight years of age, who never had
had days illness until that which took him hence
to be here no more. His death occurred under
circumstances peculiarly painful to me. A young
er brother, the next in age to him, delicaie sick
| ly child from baby had been down for nearly a
fortnigh with an epidemic fever. In consequence
of the nature of the disease, used every precau-
ton that prudence suggested to guard the other
members of my family against it. But ofthis one,
had but little fear; he was so rugged and so
generally healthy. Still, however, kept a Wig
liant eye upon him, and especially forbade his
going into the pools, and docks near his school,
which he was prone to visit.
One evening l came home wearied- with a
long days hard labor, and vexed at some little
disappointrnents, and found that he had also just
come into the house, and that be was wet, and COW
cred with dock mud. I taxed him with disobe-
dience and scolded him severel y-more so than
had ever done before; and then harshly ordered
him to his bed. He opened his lips, for an excul-
patory reply as supposed, but sternly checked
him; when with mute, sorrowful countenance
and swelling breast, he turned away and went
slowly to his chamber. My heart smote me at
the moment though 1 felt conscious of doing
fathers duty. But how much keener did feel
the pang when was informed in the course of
the evening by aneighbor, that my boy had gone to
the dock at the earnest solicitation of younger
and favorte playmate, and by the especial permis-
sion Of his school master, in order to recover a
cap belonging to the former. which had blown over
the wharf Thus learned that what had treat
ed with unwonted severity fault, was but the
impulse of generous nature which, forgetful of
SELF had hazarded perhaps life for another. 1t
was but the quick prompting of that manly spirit
which had always endeavored to engraft upon
his susceptible mind, and which, young as he
was, had already manif sted itself on more than
one occasion
How bitterly did I regret my harshness, and
resolved to make amends to his grieved spirit in
the morning Alas that morning never came
to him in health. Before retiring for the night
however, crept to his low cot, and bent over him.
A tear had stolen down upon his cheek, and rested
there. 1 kissed it off, but he slept so sweetly and
so calmly, that did not venture to disturb him.
The next day he awoke with raging fever on
his brain, and in forty-elght hours was no more
He did not know me when l was first called TO
his bedside nor at any moment afterward, though
in silent agony bent over him till death and dark
ness closed the scene. I would have given worlds
to have whispered one kind word in his ear, and
have been answered but it was not permitted
Once indeed smile, thought of recognition,
lighted in his eye and 1 leaned eagerly forward.
But it passed quickly away, and was succeeded
by the cold, unmeaning glare and the wild toss
ing of the fevered limbs, that lasted till death
came to his relief
Every thing now see that belonged to him re-
minds me of the lost one. Yesterday | found
some 1ude pencil sketches which it was his delight
to make for the amusement of his younger brother;
today in rummaging an old closet came across
his boots, still covered with dockmud as when he
last wore them; and every morning and evening 1
pass the ground where his voice rang the merrI-
est among his paymates. All these things speak
to me vividy of his active life; but cannot though
often try, recall any other expression of his far
ther than that mute, mournful one with which
he turned from me on the night so harshly re-
pulsed him. o! how careful should we all be,
that in our daily conduct towards those little be-
ings sent us by kind Providence, are not
laying up for ourselves the sources Of many flu
lure bitter tearl How cautious, that neither by
word or look we unjustly grieve
heir generous feelings And how guardedly
ought we to weigh every action against its motive
lest in moment of excitement we be led to mete
out to the venial errors of the heart the punish
nent due only to wilful crimel Alas! perhaps
ew parents suspect how often the sudden blow,
he fierce rebuke, is answered in their children by
he tears, not of passion, not of physical or mental
pain, but ofa loving but grieved or outraged
nature. kn1cEeTbOcker Magazine.
THE PROTECTIVE SYSTEM
Gloves may be had, it shall be supposed, from
French maker for the value of two shllings q