Lewistown gazette. [volume] (Lewistown, Pa.) 1843-1944, 1850-06-14
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T HE W0 w Us.
BEAUTIFUL STORY.
BY T. 6. ARTHUR.

James Lewis was fifteen years old.
Like many lads of his age, he felt at times.
that the parental hand which sought TO
guide him Alright drew upon the rein too
often. He wished to do many things that
his father disapproyed, and often became
impatient when checked by one wiser and
more experienced than himself.
In this respect. James was like most
young persons, who think their parents or
guardians over particular about them, and
more inclined to abridge their pleasures
than to widen the sphere Of their enjoy
men1s.
Il think my father is very unkind," j" we
have heard boy say, when the act of the
parent was dictated by the tenderest regard
for his welfare.
Mother never likes TO see me enjoying
myself says little girl, when some re-
strlcuon was laid upon her. And yet that
very restriction is meant to save her from
years of misery in after life.
Children are not apt to think that their
parents are older and more experienced
than themselves, and, in consequence, know
better than they what is for their good
Nor do they comprehend the loving and
thoughtful care, deepening often into anx-
!ous sOlcltude, with which they are ever
regarded. We do not greatly wonder at
this. because the minds of children are not
perfected, and their store of experience Is
small. Still they are able 10 understand
what their parents teach them, and 10 act
more wisely than If they followed only
their own inclinations. And il is to help
them to act more wisely, and thus to Sc
cure happiness in the future, that their pa
rents and friends so often present good
precepts 10 their minds, correct in them
what they see TO be wrong, and seek so
constantly 10 turn their feet into wavs of
safety.
But we were going 10 relate something
about a lad named James Lewis, who was
Is years old. A boy who has gained that
age, generally has his mind pretty well
stored from books, and he is able to think
on good many subjects. And he is,
moreover, very apt to have good opinion
of himself, and to believe that he knows,
even better than his father, what is best for
him.
James was just such . lad as we have
been picturing, and his father often felt
troubled about him, when he saw how per-
versely he sought TO have his own way,
even though II was not opposed By his pa
rents.
Ny son, said Mr.. Lewis, one dav af-
ter having vainly endearored to make
James understand that something he wished
to do was wrong, 4" there are Two ways in
llie-one leading to happiness, the other
to misery. At first, they run almost side
by side, and we may easily step from one
to the other, but soon they diverge widely, .
and never come in sight of each other
again. The path that leads to destruction,
my son, looks more inviting to the young
and inexperienced than the one that leads
to happiness. The flowers that grow
along the margin have brighter hues and
more attractive perfume, while in the dis
tance hundred bright prospects are given
to the eyes. The young are naturally in
clined to walk in this path. But God has
given them parents and friends, to point
hem TO the better way, and lead them
herein. They stand as angels of mercy,
sent from Heaven TO guide them in the Way
't llte. James, try and let this thought
'ink into your mind. And now / leave
you free, in this instance, to act as your
nlnd may direct. | have pointed out the