Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1851-05-07
MISC l. l. A N Y.
THE TIMELY WARNING.

My father, after an absence ofthree years,
returned to the home so dear to him. He
had made his last voyage, and rejoiced to
have reached haven of rest from the per-
lis of the sea. During his absence had
grown, from mere child and baby of my
mother-for | was her youngest-into a
rough, careless, and head-strong boy. Her
gentle voice no longer restrained. | was
often wilful, and sometimes disobedient. l
thought it indicated manly superiority to be
independent of woman'S influence. My
fathers return was fortunate circumstance
for me. He soon perceived the spirit of
insubordination string 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 an open feld-a
fayorite playground for the children in the
neighborhood. After talking cheerfully on
different topics for 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 play ground when boy. That
rock stood there then. To me it is beacon
and whenever | look at it, recall dark spot
in my life-an event so painful to dwell
upon if 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 mere child.
was the only son. My mother was a
gentle, loving woman, devoted to her chill
dren, and beloved by every body. Iremem-
Der her pale, beautiful face-her sweet, affec-
tionate smle-her kind and tender voice.
In my childhood loved her intensely; l
was never happy apart from her, and she,
fearing was becoming too much of baby,
sent me TO the high school in the village
After associating a time with rude, rough
boys, | lost in measure, my fondness for
home, and my reverence for my mother and
it became more and mors difficult for her
to restrain my impetuous nature. thought
it an indication of manliness to resist her
authority, or to appear to feel penitent, al
though knew that my conduct panied her.
The epithet most dreaded was girl boy.-
could moi bear to hear it said by my COM
panions that was tied to my mothers a.
prom strings. From quiet home-loving
child, | soon became Wild roiStering boy.
My dear mother used every persuasion to
induce me to seek happiness within the pre-
cints home. She eXerted herselfto make
our fre-side attractive, and my sister, fol-
lowing her self-sacri6cing example, sought
to entlce me by planning games and diver
sions for my entertainment | saw all this
but did not heed it.
'lt was on an afternoon like this, that, as
] was about leaving the dinning-table, to
spend the intermission between morning and
evening school in the street, as usual, my
mother laid her hand on my shoulder, and
SAID mildly but firmly, My son 1 wish you
10 come with me- | would have rebelled,
out something in her manner awed me-
she put on her bonnet and said to me, we
Will take little walk together followed
her IN silence, and as was passing ont the
door, observed one ofmy rude companions
sulk!ng about the house, and knew he was
waiting for me. He sneered as went mast
fN ""' wounded TO the quick.
Tie was a very bad boy, but being some
years oioef 'hah myself, he exercised a
great influence over me, Il followed INV moth
er sulklly, TILL we reached the spot where
we now stand, beneath the shadow of th,s
huge rock. O, my boy, could that hour be
blotted from my memory, which has cast a
dark shadow over my whole life, gladly
would exchange all that the world car
offer me for the quiet peace Of mind should
ENJOY. But, no! like this huge, unsightly
pile stands the monument of my guilt for
ever.
"My mother, being feeble in health, sa
down and beckoned me to sit beside her,
Her look, SO full offender sorrow, is pres
ent to me now. would not sit, but confined
standing sullenly beside her. Alfred my
dear son, said she have you lost all love