The Columbian fountain., 1846-01-24
ISCELLANEOUS.
TAKING THE PLEDGE,
BY MISS M. E. WENTWORTH.

$ on have done well, said the old man,
/" you have done well, boy But in whose
strength do you purpose to preserve invio-
late the sacred engagements into which you
have voluntarily entered.o
Gin the strength of firm resolution
never again to touch, taste, nor handle, as
a beverage, any thing that contains alcohol
as an Ingredient"
'.Lsten to me, child, and will tell you
a story" said the patriarch. had son.
He was tenderly brought up. The affec-
tions of his father and mother clung to him,
as the delicate ivy to the vine. To secure
for him those intellectual advantages which
our secluded situation denied, we consented
to remove to the metropolis. Our little
patrimony became the property Of strangers,
and we turned away from our home, in our
old age, to form new associations, cheering
ourselves that soon our beloved son would,
by filial attention, amply repay us for SO
great sacrifice. His mind was strong and
vigorous-his disposition mild and affec-
tionate. He entered upon his studies with
boyish ardor, gained the commentator of
his teachers, and, by his endearing kind
ness, won the confidence of his associates.
O, how we loved him! We forgot that we
had ever prayed, :. Lead him not into tempt
ation,o when we heard his response to our
morning and evening worship. We became
reconciled to the confusion of the city, and
were Indifferent to the SCOTS OF the multi
tude, who jeered at our poverty and old
age, SO long as our son stood first at school
Having completed his academical course, he
determined with my full appreciation, to
pursue the profession of the law. He en-
tered the office of distinguished practi-
toner, who had taken fondness for his
early talents and winning manners, and
took home with his kind instructor Every
evening he came to us with the little events
OF the day he read and sang to us, accom-
panying his well-tuned voice with the mel
ody of the guitar. My dear wife's whole
soul was centered in Edward. And have
often feared we loved the creature more
than the Creator.
remember this part of his history with
grief, and fear that condemnation will rest
upon me in Gods day. knew that he
outwardly observed the Sabbath-that he
partook not of the vices Of many of his
Companions while ! urged it upon
others that there was one only entrance to
the court of Heaven, ! thought that God
would reward my dear son for his kindly
and afectionate department, and give him a
crown of rejoicing suited to his immortal
genius. Strange iniatuation!
As his course of study drew near its
close, we saw less and less of Edward-but
fondly imputed it to a want of leisure-to
an eager desire to commence his practice.
At last he came one night, just as we were
sitting down at our homely meal He
scohed at our poor fare-told us Of his in
tended marriage with lady Of fortune and
beauty; and that he had purchased back
my estate in the country.
"Now, dear father" he added, s'you can
live as you deserve to live" These were
his very words. To be brief, young friend,
we returned to our dearly loved home. Ed
ward was married, and to one well worthy
of him. She forgot our poverty, and be-
came an indweller of our humble abode.
She assisted my wife in her domestic duties,
and when we were desponding, she encour-
aged us and united her prayers with ours.
In return, we lavished on her all the affec-
ton that had once been our dear Edwards.
He had sought the Z" far West," but chagrin-
ed and disappointed, he had left the wild
woods of the new world, and found a new
home in the sunny regions of the South.
He was acquiring wealth, and what we con-
sidered far superior to paltry gold-a fame.
Poor mortals How little do we know of
happiness He came home. His step was
unsteady, and his eyes were filled with red
ness. Rumor said he had become dissi-
pated But we attributed his changed looks
to the influence of warm climate, and well
coined him back with feeling of unmlngled
Joy. But his heart was changed. lie left
us, another Edmard, and returned with his
wife and son to the city. Yes, he neglect
ed u.s. He was ashamed Of our poverty.
He forgot that we had nourished him,
watched over him, and - | thought
could be calm, but Pm mad my brain
reels Twas hell itself that urged my
Edward on When our last morsel was
exhausted, and was dying with fear, my
wife, all ragged as she was, asked bread,
menial at his door marvel not that she
fell al his feet and died
A son cursing his mother,
mother blessing her son,
Ill tpI