Iowa capitol reporter. [volume] (Iowa City, Iowa) 1841-1855, 1851-05-28
A Touching scene.


purports to have been given by a
father to his son, as warning dcriv-
ed from his own bitter experience of
the sin of grieving and resisting a
mothers love and counsel.
What agony was visible on my
mothers face when she saw that all
she safe and suffered, failed to move
me! She rose to go home, and | fol-
lowed at distance. She spoke no
more to me till she reached her own
door.
cit is school time now," said She
"Go, my son, and once more let me
beseech you to think upon what |
have said"
81 shan't go to school," said
She looked astonished at my bold
ness, but replied firmly: "Certainly
you willgo, Alfred. | command you
81 will not!'' said /, with tone of
defiance.
"One of two things you must do,
Alfred-either go to school this mo-
ment, or | will lock you in.your room,
and keep you there till you are ready
to promise implicit obedience to my
wishes in future"
81 dare you to do it, said |, "you
can't get me up stairs"
"Alfred, choose now, said my moth
er, who laid her hand upon my arm.
She trembled violently, and was dead,
ly pale
If you touch me | will kick you,''
said l., in terrible rage. God knows
tfIknUN not VII J~sssl. j a "a sss
"Will you g6Alfrcdy
"Nop replied; but quailed be-
meath her eye.
"Then follow me-" she said, as she
grasped my arm firmly. raised my
foot--oh, my son, hear mel raised
my foot and kicked her--Iny sainted
mother! How my head reels; as the
torment of memory rushcs over me!
kicked my mother--a feeble wo-
NANNY mother! She staggered
back n few steps, and leaned against
the wall, She did not look at me. =
| saw her heart beat against her
breast. "Oh! Heavenly Father" she
cried, "forgive him-he knows not
what he doesp' The gardener just
then passed the door, and seeing my
mother pale and almost unable tc
support herself, he stopped: she beck,
Oned him in. "Takc this boy uI
stairs and lock him in his own room,
said she, and turned a way from me
Looking back as she was entering
her room, she gave me such look
it will forever follow met was ;
look of agony, mingled with the in
tensest love--it was the last, unutter
: able pang from a heart that wa
broken.
In a moment | found myself a pris
oner in my own room. | thought TO
moment, owuld fling myself fror
the open window, and dash my brain
out, but felt afraid to die. wa
not penitent. At times my heart wa
subdued, but my stubborn pride ros
in an instant, and bade me not yielo
I The pale face Of my mother haunte
/ me. / flung myself on the bed, an
, fell asleep. Just at twilight hear
; a footstep approach the door. 1t wa
: my sister.
"What may Itell mother from you
: she asked.
r "Nothing." replied.
: "Oh, Alfredl for my sake, for q
q our sakes, say that you are sorry
. let me tell mother that you are sorr
2 She longs to forgive YOU"
) would not answer. ! heard h
, footsteps slowly retreating, and aga
:, | flung myself on the bed to pass al
r other wretched and fearful night.
/. Another footstep, slower and fee
!, Ter than my sisters disturbed me-
n A voice called me by name. 1t W;
= my mothers.
= "Alfred, my son, shall | come il
" Are you sorry for what you ha'
= done?" she asked.
cannot tell what influence, o
a. Grating at that moment, made II
m speak adverse to my feelings. II
- gentle voice of my mother that thri
;r led thro' me melted the ice from II
lv obdurate heart, and | longed to thro
% myself on her neck, but | did not
But my words gave the lie to n
heart, when | said was not sorry.
st ] heard her withdraw. | heard h
ne groan. ] longed to call her back, !
ne / did not.
Twas awakened from my unea