Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1851-05-01
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THE TIMELY WARNING.
AN AFFECTING STORY.


My father, after an absence of three years, re-
turned to the nome 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
mere child and baby Of my mothers, for | was
her youngest, into rough, careless and head
strong boy. Her gentle voice no longer restrain
ed me. was often wiful, and sometimes dis
obedient. thought it indicated manly superb
orty to be independent Of woman's influence
My fathers return was fortunate circumstance
for me. He soon perceived the spirit of insub-
ordination stirring within me. | saw by his
manner that it dIspleased him, although, for
few days he said nothing to me about it.
1t was an afternoon in October, bright and
golden, that my father told me 10 get my hat,
and take a walk with him. We turned down an
open lane into a fine open feld-a favorlte play
ground for the children in the neighborhood.- -
After talking cheerfuly on different topics for a
while, my father asked me if observed that
huge shadow, thrown by mass of rocks that
stood in the middle of the field? replied that
did.
MY father owned this land" said he. "It
was my playground 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 if it
were not as warning to you, should not speak
ofit, Listen, then, my dear boy, and learn wis
dom from your fathers errors.
"My father died when was mere child.
was the only son. My mother was gentle, To-
wing woman, devoted TO her children, and below
ed by everybody. remember her pale, beauti.
fol face, her sweet, afectnnate smile,-her
kind and gentle voice. In my childhood loved
her intensely | was never happy apart from her
and she, fearing that was becoming too much
of baby, sent me to the high school in the
village. After associating time with rude,
rough boys, lost, in measure, my fondness
for home and my reverence for my mother, and
it became more and more difficult for her to re-
strain my impctuous nature. thought 1t an in
dication of manliness to resist her authority, Oh
10 appear to feel penitent, although knew that
my conduct panied her The epithet | mos
dreaded was girL.boy ! could not bear to heal
it said by my companions that was tied to my
mothers apron-strings. From a quiet, home
loving child, soon became a Wild rolsterng
boy. My dear mother used every persuasion tC
induce me to seek happiness within the precincts
of home She exerted herself to make our fire.
side attractive, and my sister following her self
sacrificing example, sought to entice me by plan
ming games and diversions for my entertainment
| saw all this, but did not heed it.
"It was on an afternoon like this, that, as
was about leaving the dinner-tabIe, TO spend thu
ntermission between the morning and evening
school in the street, as usual, my mother laiC
her hand upon my shoulder, and said mildly bu
firmly, My son, wish you to come with me.
would have rebeed, but something In her man
nor awed me. She put on her bonnet, and sai(
to me, I'VE will take little walk together
followed her in silence and as was passing ou
the door, observed one Of my rude companon
skulking about the house, and knew he wa
waiting for Inc. He sneered as went past him
Nv pride was wounded to the quick. He was