Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1850-07-17
MISC d L i A N Y.
ALEssoN FOR PARENTS.

The following touching story is told by LEWIS GAYLORD
for the truth of which he vouches on authority Of
letter from tie afflicted father detailing the event:
ga few weeks before he wrote" says Mr.. Clark, che
had buried his eldest son. ne manly little fellow, OF some
ech wears of age who had never he said, known Gay
illness until that which fna removed him hence 10 De
here no more His death occurred under circumstances
which were peculiarly painful TO his parents younger
bober delicate scky child from birth, tho next liz age
to him. had been down for nearly or.ngh! with an cpl
donnie ver In consequence of the nature Of the disease
every pecauon had been adopted that prudence suggested
10 puard the other members of the family against It, But
of this one the fathers eldest he said he had little to ear
so rurred was he and so generally healthy Still howev
er he kept vgant eye upon him. and especially forbade
his conq to the pools and ducks near his school, which was
his custom sometimes to visit for he but boy and
elbows cH be boys and ought more frequently to think
that it is their nature to be- OF all natural things, re-
ach almost to childish fankness and innocence, save me
from "boy mani" But the story.
One evening this unhappy father came home, wearled
with long days hard labor and vexed at some little dis
amendment which had soured his naturally kind disposl
ton and rendered him peculiarly susceptible to the small
est ANNOYANCE While he sitting 10y the fire in this
unhappy mood Of mind his wfeentered the apartment and
said:
"Henry has just come in, and he is perfect rght he
is covered from head foot with dock mud, and he is as
wet as drowned rat"
"Where is he ?" asked the father sternN.
"He is shiyerinq over the kitchen fire. He was afraid
to come up here when the girl told him you had come
home"
"Fell Jane 10 tell him to come here this Instant" was
the brief reply to this information.
Presently the poor boy entered half perlsed with alright
and cold His father glanced al his sad plight Ieproached
him bitterly with his dsobedence spoke OF the punishment
which awaited him in the morning as the penalty OF his Of
fnce in harsh voice. concluded wh-"Now, sir, 60 to
your bed!"
"But father" said the little fellow, ri want to tell
you-"
"No word sir go to Ded!"
al onlv wanted to say, father, that"
With peremtory stamp, and imperative wave OF his
hand towards the door, and own upon his prov" dd ha
father without speech, again close the door Of explanation
or exposulaon.
When his boy had gone supperess and sad to his bed
the father sat restless and uneasy, while supper was being
prepared and, at tea table, ate but little. His wife saw
the real cause or the additional of his emotion, and
nterposed The remark
81 think my dear you ought at least to have heard what
Henry had say My heart ached for him when he turn
ed away with his eyes full Of tears Henry isagood boy
after all, if he does svmetmes do wrong. He is tender
hearted, afeclionate boy. He always was"
And iherew,ha the water stood in the eyes OF that for
ovnr mother even as it stood in the eyes of Mercy, in
sthe house Of the Interpreter" recorded by Bunyan.
After ea the evening paper was taken up there was no
news and nothing of any interest for that father in the jour
nal Of that evening He sat for time in an evidently
painful and then repaired to his bed-chamoer AS nc
passed the bedroom where his little boy slept he thought
he would look in upon him before retiring TO rest lie crep
to his low cot and bent over him. big tear had stolen
down the boys cheek and rested upon it but he sleep
inc calmly and sweety The father deeply regretted his
hasness as he gazed upon his son he felt also the sense
of duty " yet in the night talking the matter over win 'e
lads mother he resolved and promised instead oil punS
pp as he had threatened to make amends to the boys
oreved spirit in the morning for the manner IN "hich le
had repelled all explanation Of his offence.
But that morning never that poor child In heall
He awoke the next morning with raging fever on MS
BRAIN and wild with delirium. In forty eight hours he
was in his shroud He knew neither his father nor his
mother when they first called to his bedside, nor a
any moment afterwards. Waiting watching for one token
of recognition hour after hour, in speechess agony, dd
that unhappy father bend over the couch of his dying son.
Once indeed he thought he smile recognition light
up his dying eye and he leaned forward for ne would nave
given worlds 10 have whispered one kind word in his ear
and have been answered; but that CLEAN of nteI-
gence passed quickly away and was the cod
unmeaning glare and the wild tossing fthe fevered limbs
4, bic oliaf
Two days afterwards the undertaken came with the Ut
lie coffin, and his son, playmate of the deceased Ooy'
bringing tie low stools which il to stand in the en-
try hail.
81 was with Henry" said the lad, "when he got into
the water. We were playing down at Long Wharf Hen
ri 40 q .. a.,t wow low;