Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1850-12-06
OriginaI Ya4ttG.
THE RESCUED YOUTH.
FOUNDED ON FACT.

In witnessing the varied scenes OF this
world, we cannot but be sensible Of the ut
terimpOssibility of leading a life Of happi- |
ness and prosperity, unattended by ADVERSE
ty and its painful results. We all must
share more or less, in the grievances Of this
troublesome world, and learn from our own
sad experience, as well as from that Of 9TH
ers, that what seems charming to our view
and full Of delightful prospects now, at some
future may be blighted and removed from
us, even as the beautiful flowers blossom in !
the summer, but to be cut down by the chil. |
ling blasts Of autumn. Sad truth our fon-
dest hopes are often blasted and dearest OBJ
jects are frequently the sources Of bitter
sorrow.
Such may have been the feelings Of
youth who, al the silent hour Of midnight,
might have been seen returning from his ac-
customed place of revelling to his father s
home. As noiselessly and carefully as pos
sible, he wends his solitary way through
back-streets and down unfrequented lanes,
80 as to escape the observation even Of a
casual night-Walker. And why does he pro-
coed with cautious stepl Is he not lost to
every sense Of honor and has not the degra-
ding influence naturally resulting from Vi
cious and dissipated habits destroyed all the
finer feelings Sf bis naturel How can he,
an abandoned youth feel any shame at the
debasement Ofhis condition? But mark ye !
his mind seems to dwell upon his dear home.
A food of vaiious thoughts pour in which
seem almost teoverpower him. He is think
ing Of kind father who looked upon him
when child as his blessing and pride, and
who, from the secret recesses of his heart,
has offered many prayer for his sons eter-
nal and temporal interests. Then, with
bitterness of feeling, he remembers how Of
tenhe has moiaened the pillow Of an affec-
tiOnate and indilgent mother. who has ever
watched over him with tender care and whose
heart even now yearns for her child with
true maternal anxiety. His thoughts then
turn to dear sister, and he remembers her
winning smile, accompanied with sigh at
his dopartare fromthe house this very night,
which seemed to increase the intensity Of
his feelings. She vas kind sister indeed,
who had never ceased to warn him Of his
danger, and with earnest entreaty had en-,
deavored to reclaim him. He now seems a
wakened to sense d bis condition "Car
InOt be savedl'' heutters with halfsup
pressed tone Of voice Is there no powel
capable Of rescuing ne from the dreadful
destruction that my pDesent conduct presa
ges7 Twas not always lhus. When child
Iappeared as promising as any of my age
/ joined, betimes, in the sports Of nv littll
associates with true childish forgetfllness
never disquieting myself about the future
butthinking that the bright day of my exis
tencs just beginning to dawn upon me Wit
increasing splendor, couldnever be obscure,
by the dark clouds Of advgsity. But, alas
how changed! can it be dream would t
Godit were here is that oace sprightly boy
soIitaryand alone, staggering home to his /:
ther's house discarded by the good, desp
sed even by the wicked orgreater wicked
ness, an abandoned Wretch, N outcast fror
soeietyl "Can there be no kind hand e,
tended which may snatsh me from the abys
of woe that yawns beneath and threatens /
ovsrwhelm me ?" OIL if | could clasp tFi
Knees of my father and once more receive hi
forgiveness, If could convince my kin
mother that would mend my ways, and,
possible, renderher last days the happie,
part of her life,-if l could but receive tn
benignant and forgiving smile Of dear si
ter, methinks, would never again be lie
away by baneful companions, but henc,
forth would pursue an honorable and Writ
ous hfe. .".
Thusthe youth soliloquised, and somethin
with him seemed to whisper, " persevere,
and you shah be sustained and prospereC
It seemed to him, as spirit-voice.
Now follow him, as he advances and a
proaehes his once happy home. His soul
wrought up to the highest degree of excit
ment and he breads to go into his father
presence. But at this instant, he fanci
he hears the same voice as before whisperir
inhis ear, "persevere." He has now we
nigh reached his home with soft step
advances, quickly opens the outer door, ar
closes It silently after him, SO as to avoid
rousing the family from their slumbers.-
He hopes he may not meet his father I'll
night, but trusts that in the morning he shi
be able 10 announce the cheerful news
am resolved to reform" But, bark ! W,
known voice strikes upon his ear; it SCUM
as theSoice Of one in secret, yet earnC
prayer. He listens,-itis Is his own dear
ther pouring forth his soul TO God for the