The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1851-05-23
A TOUCHING STORY.
The following affecting narra,i

er to MS son, as warning derived
from his own bitter experience o. the
sin OF grieving and resisting a moth
er's love and counsel.
"What agony was visible on nv
mothers face when she saw that all
she said and suffered. failed to move
me She rose to 20 home. antI fol.
lowed at distance. She spoke nc
more to me till she reached her own
door.
"'lt is school time now,' said she.
Go. my son, and once more let me
beseech you TO think upon what have
said
"'' shan't go to school, said l.
| "She looked astonished at nv bold.
ness, but replied, firmly.
"'CertainIy you will go, Alfred. !
command YOU
"'l will not ! said /, with tone Of
defiance.
"'One Of two things you must do
Alfred-either go to school this mo.
ment, or | will lock you in your room,
and keep you there till YOU are ready
to promise implicit. obedience to my
wishes in future
al dare you to do it, said |, you
can't set me up stairs
"Alfred. choose now.' said nv
mother. who laid her hand uoon nv
arm She trembled violently, and
was deadly pale.
"lf you touch me will kick you.'
said |. in terrible rage. God knows
| knew not what said.
"WiII you 90. Alfred"
"Nop ! replied, but quailsd be-.
meath her eye.
"'Then follow me- said she, as she
grasped my arm firmly. raised my
toot-oh, my son. hear me III raised
my foot and kicked her-my sainted
mother How my head reels. as the
torment of memory rushes over me
kicked my mother-a feeble woman
my mother She staggered back a
few steps, and leaned against the wall
She did moi look at me. ! saw her
heart beat against her breast. oh !!
Heavenly Father she cried, forgive
hIm--he knows not what he does +
The gardener just then passed the
door, and seeing nv mother pale and
almost unable to support herself. he
stopped; she beckoned him in. Take
this boy up stairs and lock him in his
own ROOM, said she. and turned from
me. Looking back as she was enter
ing her room, she gave me such a
look-it will forever follow mel,
was look Of agony, mingled with the
intenseal love--it was the last, unut
terabls pang from heart that was
broken.
"In a moment | found myself a
prisoner in my own room. | thought,
for moment, ! would fling myself
from the open window. and dash my
brains out, but fel. afraid to die. |
was not penitent. At times my heart
was subdued, but my stubborn pride
rose in an instant. and bade me not
yield. The pale face of my mother
haunted me flung myself on the he'd,
and fell asleep. Just at twilight |
heard a footstep approach the door.
1t was my sister.
"What may | tell mother from
you = she asked.
"Nolhing.' ! replied.
"Oh, Alfred for my sake, for al
our sakes. say that you are sorry
let me tell mother that you are sorry
She longs to forgive you.'
al would not answer. lheard foot
steps slowly retreating. and again
flung myself on ,he.bed to pass anoth
er wretched and fearful night.
"Another footstep slower and fee
bier than my sisters disturbed me
A voice called me by name. 1t wa:
my mothers.
"'AI(red, my son, shall | come in
Are you sorry for what you have
done 2 she asked.
Il cannut tell what influence, opc
rating at that moment. made me speat
adverse to my feelings. The gentle
voice of my mother that thrilled
through me. melted the ice from my
obdura.e heart, and !! Ionged to throw
myself ON her neck. but | did not
But my words gave The lie TO my
heart, when | said | was not sorry
heard her withdraw. heard hel
groan. ! longed to call her back
But I did not.
! 81 was awakened from my uneasy
slumber, by hearing my name called
loudly, and my sister stood by my
bedside:
"Get up. Alfred. Oh, don't wait ,
minute let up and come with me
Mother is DYING
81 thought was vet dreaming. Blu
got up mechanically. and followed
my sister. On the bed. pale and cold
as marble. lay nv mother. She hat
not undressed. She had thrown her,
!, self on the bed to rest: arising to g