The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1851-06-25
4 TOUCHING STORY.

son, as warning derived from his own
bitter experience Of the sin Of grieving
and resisting dear mothers love and
counsel.
"What agony was visible on my moth
er's face when she saw that all she said
and suffered failed to move me! She rose
to go home, and followed al distance.
She spoke no more to me till she reached
her own door,"
"It is time now. said she. $50, my
son, and once more let me beseech you
to think upon what have said"
81 shan't 60 to school," said !.
She looked astonished a, my holiness,
but replied firmly:
Certainly you will go, Alfred, com.
mand you"
"Iwill mott" said I with tone Of de-
fance." 81 ~" ~.
"One Of two things you must do, Alfred;
either 60 to school this moment, or | will
lock you in your room, and keep yo,
there till you are ready TO promise i'm
plicit obedience to my wishes in future" F"
II dare you to do it." said |, "you can't
get me up stairs. :"
s"Alfred, choose now" said my mother,
who laid her hand upon my arm She
trembled violently, and was deadly pale.
""If you touch me l will kick you," said
l, in terrible rage. God knows knew
not what said. ~
"Will you go, Alfredo" .
"No" replied quite quailed beneath
her eye. ho'"
"Then follow me-" said she as she
grasped my arm firmly. Iraised my foot
OH, my son. hear me! raised my foot
and kicked her; my sainted mother! How
my head reels, as the torrent Of memory
rushes over me! kicked my mother; a
feeble woman; my mother? She staggered
back 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 doesH' The
gardner just then passed the door, and
seeing my mother pale and almost unable
to support herself, he stopped; she beck
oned him IN. "Take this boy up stairs
and lock him in his ROOM said she, and
turned from me. Looking back as she
was entering her room, she gave me such
a look; it will forever follow me; it was a
look Of agony, mingled with the intensest
love; it was the last unutterable pang from
heart that was broken. 81
In a moment found myself prisoner
in my own room. ] thought for a moment
| would fling myself from the open window,
and dash my brains out, but felt afraid
10 do it. was not penltent. At times
my heart was subdued, but my stubborn
pride rose in an instant. and bade me not
yield. The pale face ofmy mother haunt
ed me. flung myself on the bed and
fell asleep. Just at twilight ! heard foot
step approach the door. twas my sister.
"What may tell mother from you?"
she asked. r.
"Nothing," replied.
"Oh Alfred! for my sake. for all our
sakes, say that you are sorry; let me tell
mother that you are sorry. She longs to
forgive you.'
would not answer. heard her foot
steps slowly retreating, and again | flung
myself on the bed to pass another wretched
and fearful night.
Anothsr footstep, slower and feebler than
my sisters disturbed me. A voice called
me by name. 1t was my mothers.
"Alfred, my son, shall come? Are
you sorry for what you have done?" she
asked. 44Ea- e.s ..a
cannot tell what influence, operating
at that moment, made me speak adverse
to my feelings. The gentle voice Of my
mother that thrilled through me, melted the
ice from my obdurate heart, and longed
to throw myself on her neck. but | did not.
But my words gave the lie to my heart,
whom said was not sorry. lheard her
groan. l longed TO call her back, but |
did not. a
was awakened from my uneasy slum-
Der, by hearing my name called loudly,
and my sister stood by my bedside.
Get up, Alfred Oh, don't wait min
ute! Get up, and come with me. Mother
is dying.
Thought was yet dreaming, but | got
up mechanically and followed my sister.
On the bed pale and cold as marble lay
my mother. She had not undressed.-
She had thrown herself on the bed TO rest;
arising to 90 again to me, she was seized
with q palpitation Of the heart, and was
borne senseless to her room. pa
Icannot tell you in my agony as ! look
ed upon her--any remorse was tenfold
more bitter from the thought that she would
never know it. believed myself to be
her murderer. | fell on the bed beside
her. | could not weep. My heart burned
in my bosom; my brain was all on fire.
My sister threw her arms around me and
wept in silence. iis3 81
Suddenly we saw slight motion of
mothers hand--her eyes unolosed. She
had recovered consciousness, but not
speech. She looked at me, and moved
her lips. Il could not understand her
words. smother, mother," | shrieked.