The Democratic sentinel and Harrison County farmer. [volume] (Cadiz, Ohio) 1851-1852, 1851-06-25
THE WARNING,
A THRILLING STORY.


have reached haven of rest from the peril.
of the sea. During his absence 1 had grow
from mere child and baby of my mother.
for / was her youngest, into rough, ant
headstrong boy. Her gentle voice no longer
i, restrained me. ] was often wilful, ant
sometimes disobedient. l thoughtit indica
ted manly superiority to be Independent o
a woman's influence. My fathers return
was a fortunate circumstance for me. He
soon perceived the spirit of insubordinatior
stirring within me. l 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 to get my
hat, and take a walk with him. We turned
down narrow lane into fine open field
a favorite play ground for the children in the
neighborhood. After talking cheerfully OF
different topics for while, my father asked
me if I observed that huge shadow, thrown
by mass of rocks that stood in the middle
ofthe field Ireplied that did.
/ MY father owned this land,' said he. II
was my play ground when boy, Thai
rock stood there then. To me lis a beacon
and whenever [ look at it, recall darl
spot in my life-an event so painful to dwell
upon, that if it were not warning to you
should not speak oft. Listen, then, my deal
boy, aud learn wisdom from your fathers er.
rors. ..
MY father died when was mere child
I was the only son. Ny mother was gen
tie loving woman, devoted to her children
and beloved by every body. remember
her pale, beautiful face-her sweet affection
ate smile-her kind and tender voice. Ii
my childhood loved her intensely | was
never happy apart from her, and she, fearing
that L was becoming too much of baby
sent me to the high school in the village
After associating time with rude, rough
boys, lost, in a measure, my fondness fol
home and my reverence for my mother, and
| it became more and more difficult for her tc
restrain my impetuous nature. l thought il
an indication Of manliness to resist her au.
thonty, or not to appear to feel penltent, al
though knew my conduct panied her. The
epthet | most dreaded was girl-boy. ]
could not bear to hear it said by my COM
|panions that was tied to my mothers apron
strings, from quiet, home-loving child !
soon became avid, boistering boy. My dear
mother used every persuasion to induce me
to seek happiness within the precints ofhome
EShe exerted herself to make our freside at
tractive and my sister, following her self-sac-
rlfcing example, soughtto entice me by plan
ming games and diversions for my entertain
ment. saw all this but did not heed it.
1t was an afternoon. like this, that, as I
was about leaving the dining-table, to spend
the intermission between morning and even
ing school in the street. as usual, my mother
laid herhand on my shoulder, and said mild
Ily but firmly, "My son, wish you to come
with me-" Iwould have rebelled, but some
thing in her manner awed me. She put on
her bonnet, and said to me, we will take a
little walk together l followed her in 81
lence and as | was passing out the door, l
observed one of my rude companions skulk-
ing about the house, and | knew he was
waiting for me. My pride was wounded to
the quick. He was a very bad boy, but be-
ing some years older than myself, he excr-
cised a great influence over me. ! followed
my mother sulkily, till we reached the spot
where we now stand, beneath the shadow of
this huge rock, O, my boy, could that hour
be blotted from my memory, which has east
a dark shadow over my whole life, gladly
would exchange all that the world can offer
me for the quiet peace of mind | should en-
JOY. But no, like this huge, unsightly pile,
stands the monument ofguilt forever.
My mother being feeble in health, sat
down and beckoned me to sit beside her.
Her look, so full of tender sorrow, is present
to me now. I would not sit, but continued
standing sullenly beside her Alfred, my
dear son, said she, 'have you lost all love
for your mother? / did not reply i fear
you uhave, 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 entreates, and
prayers, she tried to make animpression up
on 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 showit, and remained stand
ing in dogged silence beside her / thought,
What will my companions say, it, after all
my boasting. | yield at last and submit to be
led by a woman|
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 90
home, and I followed at 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
tuink upon what have said
4 shant go to school, said /.
She looked astonished at my boldness,
but replied firmly, certainly you will go, AL
fred, command YOU
! will not said |, with tone Of defiance.
'0ne of two things you must do, Alfred
either go to school this moment or / will
lock you in your room, and keep you there
till you are ready to promise implicit obedi-
ence to my wishes in future
4 dare you to do it, said /, you can't get
me up stairs
Alfred, choose now, said my mother, who
laid her hand upon my arm. She trembled
violently, and was deadly pale.
If you touch me viii Kick you,' said I
in terrible rage, God knows / knew not
what said.
Will you go, Alfredo
No IrepGed, but quailed beneath her
eye.
Then follow me, said she. as she grasped
my arm firmly. ! raised my foot---O, my
son, hear NELL raised my foot and kicked