American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-05
THE TIMELY WARNING.
ny A SUFFERER.

| 4's#'.#s.. by A SUfFEHEh. n
My father, after an absence of three wears.
returned to the home so dear to him He had
made his last voyage, and rejoiced to have
reached haven of rest from the perils Of the
sea. During his absence / had grown from a
mere child and baby of my mother's--for was
her youngest--into rough careless, and head
strong boy. Her gentle voice no longer re-
strained me. / was often wilful, and sometimes
| disobedient. / thought it indicated manly su-
periority to be Independent of woman's infiu-
ence. My fathers return wasia fortunate cir
cumstance for me. He soon perceived the spirit
Of insubordination stirring within me. saw
by his manner that it displeased him, although,
for a few days, he said nothing to me about it.
1t was an afternoon in October, bright and
golden, that my father told me to get my hat,
and take walk with him. We turned down a
narrow lane into a fine open feld--a favorite
play ground for the children in the ncighbor-
hood. After talking cheerfully on different
| topics for while, my father asked me if OBJ
served that huge shadow, thrown by q massive
rock that stood in the middle of the field? |
replied that did. el as
"My father owned this land" said he eIt
was my play ground when boy. That rock
stood there then. To me it is beacon and
whenever look at it, recall dark spot in
my lfe--an event SO painful to dwell upon,
that II it were not as warning to you, should
not speak Of it, Listen, then,, my boy, and
learn wisdom from your fathers errors.
my father died when | was o mere child
was the only son. My mother was gentle,
loving woman, devoted to her children, and be-
loved by every body. remember her pale,
beautiful face-her sweet, affectionate smile
loved her intensely. | was never happy apart
from her, and she, fearing that was becoming
too much of a baby, sent me to the high school
in the village. After associating time with
rude, rough boys, / lost, in a measure, my fond
ness for home, and reverence for my mother,
and it became more and more difficult for her
to restrain my impetuous nature. / thought it
an indication of manliness to resist her autho-
rity, or to appear to feel penitent although
knew that my conduct panied her The epithet
most dreaded was gul-6oy could not bear
to hear it said by my companions that was
tied to my mothers apron-strings From a
quiet, home-loying child, / soon became q Wild
roistering boy. My dear mother used every
persuasion to induce me to seek happiness
within the precincts of home. She exerted her
self to make our fresidc attractive; and my
sister, following her self-sacrifcing example,
sought to entice me by planning games and
diversions for my entertainment. | saw all
this, but did not heed it.
about leaving the dining table, to spend the in
| PERMISSION between the morning and evening
school, in the street, as usual my mother had
her hand upon my shoulder, and said, mildly,
but firmly, My son, wish you to come with
me- | would have rebelled but something in
her manner awed me. She put on her bonnet,
and said to me, We will take little walk to-
gether.' | followed her in silence; and as /
was passing out the door, observed one Of my
rude companions skulking about the house, and
| knew he was waiting for me. He sneered as
went past him. My pride was wounded to
the quick. He was very bad boy, but being
some years older than myself, he exercised q
great influence over me. followed my mother
sulkily, till we reached the spot where we now
stand beneath the shadow of the huge rock
o, my boy, could that hour be blotted from my
memory, which has cast a 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 huge, un-
slightly pile stands the monument of my guilt
forever. '.t @ @
/" My mother, being in feeble health, sat
down, and beckoned me to sit beside her. Her
look, so full of tender sorrow, is present to me
now / would not sit, but continued standing
sullenly beside her. alfred, my dear son. said
she, shave you lost all love for your motherf' |
did not reply. Il fear you have she continued;
and may God help you to see your own heart,
and me to do my duty! She then talked to me
Of my misdeeds, of the dreadful consequences
of the course / was pursuing. BY tears and
entreaties and prayers she tried to make an
impression upon me. She placed before me the
lives and examples of great and good men; she
sought to stimulate my ambition. was moved,
but too proud to show it, and remained stand
ing in dogged silence beside her. thought,
What will my companions say, if, after all my
boasting yield at last, and submit to be led
by woman z
"What agony was visible on my mothers
face, when she saw that all she had said and
suffered failed to move me! She rose to 20
home, and followed Mt distance. She spoke
no more to me till we reached her own door
" 1T is school-time, now,' said she. Go, my
son, and once more let me beseech you to think
upon what have said to you a
i" Il shan't go to school, said |.
She looked astonished at my boldness, but
replied firmly, Certainly you will 60, Alfred.
| command you .....s
q will not said !, with tone Of defiance.
" One of two things you must do, Alfred
either 90 to school this moment, or | will lock
you in your own room, and keep you there till
you are ready to promise implicit obedience to
my wishes in future.'
!" Il dare you to do it, said /; you can't get
me upstairs ...... ..
{" alfred, choose now said my mother, and
laid her hand upon my arm. She trembled yio-
lently, and was deadly pale. J.....-
q If you touch me / win kick said l, in
terrible rage. God knows knew not what /
said
4. " will you 60, Alfredo ...... .....
"'No,' | replied, but quailed beneath her
eye.
"Then follow me, said she, and grasped my
arm firmly. raised my foot-oh, my son hear
me! raised my foot, and kicked henry
sainted mother How my head reels, rs the
torrent of memory rushes over me kicked
my mother--a feeble woman--my mother May
God forgive me, for can never forgive myself