Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1847-10-14
MARTsBUR BERKELEY COUNTY VIRGINIA THURSDAY MORNING. OCTOBER H. s

Inc OOlPEt Oh INV dicttlSuSs sdf cCl UUtU,
Tor alas my husband soon became dissipated,
and squandered the means that brought him,
and left me TO struggle with poverty as best |
could, while he pursued his dissolute and Vi
cious course. His example has been the ruin
of his children. Edward followed the foot
steps of his prohigate father, rather than the
counsels OF his unfortunate mother, and stray
ed far, far from the path Of rec,itude and hon
or Charles was Of gentle, aniable disposi-
ton, but possessed less intellect than his bold
and desperate brother, while Nicholas has
been rendered by disease helpless object Of
pity, and incapable of taking care Of himself.
Such, good sir, is the sad story ofmy family.
Such is brlei picture ofmy position and mis-
fortunes. And therefore il is, that | implore
your clemency and assistance 10 behalf of my
misguided child. believe that he is not nat
urally vicious, know tina, he has always treat
ed his mother with affection, and for years
has generally shared his scanty pittance with
her. do not mean, sir. 10 attempt any JUS
tification of his conduct in the matter for which
he has been arrested. But it surely admits of
some pallation, when all the facts are taken
into view. hope, sill, that you, animated by
some consideration for the misguided and the
needy. will regard him rather as an object of
commisseraiiOn than ofpunshment. The ar
ticle that he took was Of small value, and it
was the first time he ever appropriated TO his
own use what belonged TO another. am old
pennies and wretched. have no other de-
pendence than my unfortunate child. IL he
should not be discharged from Imprisonment,
! | have no alternative but the aims house.
Surely, sir, public justice has been already
satisfied by the punishment Charles has en-
dured, and you may interfere and with pro-
priety. Once released, he may reform and,
oh my dear sir, tits that hope alone which
renders life an object worth possessing. Could
but see nv child restored-could feel con-
WINGED that his feet were once more in the
path of recttude and virtue, ! would thank
God for his goodness, and look forward to
death and the grave with resignation"
| Some further conversation took place and
the gentleman, touched and melted by the APP
peal of the mother, promised 10 make due in
quiry into all the circumstances OF the case,
an d he should find them TO correspond with
her statement, TO exercise all his influence on
behalf of her son. The result was favorable
The story ofthe poor woman was fully veri-
fed-Charles was discharged, and was sesto-
red to the arms, the heart and the home of
theparent who had chung TO him with so much
tenacity. The meeting was most affecting
The mother overcome with excess of Joy !;
while tears almost sireamed proiusely down
the cheeks Of her son.
Some time after, Mr.. Thompson, the gen
tie man to whom we have referred so repeat
eddy in the course OF This brief sketch, again
met the mother in the street. She was de-
Gently and comfortably clad, her countenauce
was cheerful, and weigh, of sorrow had eyi-
IDENTITY been taken from her heart and brow
She manifested the liveliest satisfaction at this
meeting, was eloquent in her thanks, and in
commentator of the conduct of her son.
"Charles, since his restoration, had been
steady, industrious and temperate. He was
she hoped and believed, fully reformed He
was not only able by rigid frugali;y, 10 sup
port himself and mother, but to minister the
necessities and comforts Of his afflicted broth
err" And she here again broke forth in
thanks. "Mr. Thompson had not only saved
her boy from life Of intamy and wretched-
ness, but he had frightened, as with beam
from heaven, house that was dark and des-
olate.
A tear trembled in the eve Of Mr.. T,
and shaking the hand of the grateful mother,
he mentally thanked God for the happy result.
"Speak kindly TO the erring,
! Thou yet may lead them back,
With holy words and tones of love,
From misery's thorny track.
Forget not thou hast often sinned,
And sinful yet must be-
Deal gently with the errng one,
As God has dealt with thee ~