The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1851-05-10
THE TIMELY WARNING.
AZ AFFECTING STONY,

My father Rfter an absence Of three years,
returned 10 the home 10 dear 30 him. He had
made his last voyage, and reioiced TO have
reached haven of rest from the perils ofthe
sea. During his absence, had grown from a
mere child aud baby Of my mothers, for
was her youngest, into rough, careless and
headstrong boy. Her gentle voice no lon
ger restrained me. was often wilfil, aud
sometimes disobedicnt thought IL indicat-
cd manly superiority TO bo independent Of
woman's influence. My fathers return was a
fortunate circumstance for me, lie soon per.
cciyed the spirit Of insuboriinaton stirring
within me. ! saw by his manner that II dis
pleased him, although, for few DAYS he said
nothing to me about il.
IL was an afternoon in October, bright and
golden, that my. father told me 10 get my hat,
aud take walk with him. We turned down
an open lane into fine onon ield--a favor
itc playground for the children in the neigh
borhood. Aher talking cheerfuly on differ
snt topics for a while, my father asked me if
| observed that huge shadow, thrown by
3
field ? | replied that l did,
my father owned this land" said he at
z wss nay playground when boy. That rock
stood there tlicn To me il is beacon, aud
whenever | look at IL | recall dark spot in
my lifu-Sn event 50 painful to dwcil upon.
that if it wuru not rs warning toyou, 1 should
not speak OF il. Listen, then, my dear boy,
and learn wisdom from your fathers errors.
itAiy father tiird whrn was n mere child
| was the on'y son. My mother was a gentle
loving woman, devoted 10 her ehiiJifeH, and
beloved 10y everybody l remember her pale
beautiful lacc,-her sweet afIcctionate smile;
her kind and gentle voice. In my childhood
loved her intensely l was never happy
apart frett- her, and She, fearing ttar WIS
becoming too much Of n baby, sent me TO the
high school in the village. Afler associating
time with rude, rough boys, lost, in a
measure, my fondness for home and my rev.
erence for my mother and II bccame more
and more difficult for her to restrain my inn
petuous nature. l thought it an indication
of manlincss TO resist her authority, or TO np-
pear 20 feel penitcnt, although | knew that
my conduct panied her. The epithot most
dreaded was girl-boy. could not bear to
hear it said by my COM Ianons that was tied
TO my mothers apron-strings. From quiet
home-loving child, l soon became wild, ,bois-
tcring boy. My mother used every persua-
sion 10 induce me to seek happiness within
the precincts Of home She exerted herself
| Ia
following her self-sacrihcing example, sought
to entce me by planning games aud diver
sions for my entertainment / saw all this,
but did not heed it.
at was on an afternoon like this, that, as ]
was about leaving the dinner table, TO spend
the intermission between the morning and
evening school in the street, as usual, my
mother laid her hand upon my shoulder, and
said, mildly but firmly, My son, wish you
10 come with me- would have re belled, but
something in her manner awed me. She put
ON her bonnet, and said TO me, We will tax G
n little walk together, followed her in 81.
lenee and as / was passing out the door, i oh.
served one of my rude companions skulkinp
about the house, and knew he was waiting
for me. lie sneered as / went past him. My
pride was wounded TO the quick lie was q
very bad boy, but being some years older thar
myself, he exercised great influence over
me. / followed my mother sulkily till We
reached the spot where we now stand beneath
the shadow of this huge rock. Oh, my boy
could that hour be blotted from my memory
which has cast dark shadow over my whole
life gladly would exchange all that The
world can offer me, for the quiet peace of
mind should enjoy. But no like this hug,
unsightly pile, stands the monument of my
guilt forever.
"Aiy mother, being feeble in health sal
I downun beckoneti me 10 sit beside her. Ifei
look, so full of tender sorrow, is present tc
me now. / would not sit, but continued stand
ing sullenly beside her Alfred, my son,
said she, have yop lost all love for your moth
er2' Ldid not reply. Il fear you have sh,
continued ,and may God help you to see your
own bsaft, and me to do my dutyr Sh'
then talked 10 me Of my misdeeds of tn,
{ dreadful consequences of the -eoarSs wa
tp1rsuing. BY tears. and entreaties! ant
prayers, She tried 70 make an impression up
on me She plated before mo the lives ant