Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-05-23
The Timely Warming.
An Affecting story.


years, returnd TO the horne 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 a rough, careless, and
headstrong boy. Her gentle voice no
longer restrained me. was often will
full, and sometimes disobedient. |
though. it indicated manly superiority TO
be independent of woman's influence.
My fathers return was fortunate cir
cumstances for me. He soon perceived
the spirit of finsubordination stirring with
in me. saw by his manner that it dis
pleased him, although for few days, he
said nothing to me about it.
II 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 an open lane into a
fine open field, a favoriie play ground for
the children in the neighborhooG. After
talking cheerfully on different topics for
a while, my father asked me If | observ-
ed 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.
1T was my playground when a boy
That rock stood there then. TO rue it
is beacon, and whenever | look at it,
Irecall dark spot in my life-an event
so painful TO dwell upon, thatif 1t were not
as warning to you, should not speak
of il. Listen, then, NV dear boy, and
learn wisdom from your fathers errors.
MY father died when was a mere
child. l was the only son. My moth
er was gentle loving woman, devoted
10 her children and beloved by every
body. ] remember her pale-beautiful
face, her sweet, atTectionate smile-her
kind and tender voice. In my childhood
loved her intensely; was never happy
apar, from her, and she, fearing that |
was becoming too much of q baby, sent
me to the high school in the village. At
ter associating a time with rude, rough
boys, lost, in measure, my fondness
| for home and my reverence for my mo-
| ther, and it became more and more diff
cult for her 10 restrain my impetuous ma
ture. thought il an indication of man
liness TO resist her authority, or to APP
pear to feel impenitent, although | knew
that my conduct panied her. The cpl
rhet | most dreaded was girl boy. |
could not bear TO hear it said by my COM
panions that | was tied 20 my mothers
apron strings. From quiet, homelov-
ing child, soon became wild, roister-
ing boy. My dear mother used every
persuasion to induce me to seek happi-
ness within the precincts OF home. She
exerted herself to make our ireside at
tractive, and my sister, following her self
sacrificing example, sought to entice me
by planning games and diversions for
my entertainment. / saw all this but
did not heed it. ......... ...a. ........
1T was on an afternoon like this; that,
as was about leaving the dining table,
to spend the intermission between morn
ing and evening school in the street; as
usual, my mother laid her hanG 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, ave will take a
little walk together" followed her in
silence; and as | was passing out the
door, | observed one of my rude compau.
ions skulking about the house-and |
knew he was awaiting 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 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. 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 huge, unslghlly pile, stands the mon
ument of my gull, forever.
"My mother, being feeble in health. sat
down and beckoned me to sit beside her.
Her look, SO full of tender sorrow, is pres
ent to me now. would not sit, but
continued standing snllenly beside her.
"Alfred, my dear son." said she, shave
you lost all love for your mother!" |
did not reply. 81 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 entrealies, and prayers, she tried to
make an impression upon me. She
placed before me the lives and example
of grea, and good men; she sought to
stimulate my ambition. | was moved,
out too proud 30 show it, and remained
standing in dogged silence beside her.
| thought, "What will my companions
say, if, after all my boasling, yield at
last, and submit: to be led by woman?"
i What agony was visible on my mo-
theirs face when she saw that all she
said and suffered failed to move mel
She rose to go home, and followed at
a distance. She spoke no more till she
reached her own door. sa