Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1851-05-23
Gbe DaiIp 5pp.
The Timely Warning.
AN AFFECTING STORY.

My father, after absence of three years. re-
turned to the home so dear to him. He had made
his last Evoyage, and rejoced to have reached ha-
ven OF rest from the perlls Of the sea- During his
absence had grown from mere child and baby of
my mothers, Tor was her Youngest into rough
careless and head-srong boy. Her gentle voice no
longer restrained me. | was often wilfu and some
times disobedient thought it indicated manly su-
perlorlty to be independent of a woman's influence
My fathers return fortunate circumstance for
me. lie soon perceived the spirit of insubordina-
ton stirring within me. 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
walk with him. We turned down an open lane in
to fine open feld-a favorite playground for the
children in the neghborhood. After talking cheer
fully on different subjects 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 1t was
my playground when boy. That rock stood Their
then To me it is beacon, and whenever look
at it, | recall a dark spot in my life-an event so
painful to dwell upon, that if it were not as warn
ing to you, should not speak Of it. Listen, then,
my dear boy, and learn wisdom from your fathers
errors.
| my ldtBeE uteu wien was a mere CHILD.
the only son. My mother was gentle, loving wo.
man, devoted to her children and beloved by every
| body. | remember her pale, beautiful face-her
sweet, afectionate smile-her kind and tender voice
In my childhood loved her Intensely; | was never
happy apart from her, and she, fearing that was
becoming too much of baby, sent me to the high
school in the village. After assocating time with
rude, rough boys, lost, in measure, my fondness
for home and my reverence for my mother, and it
became more and more difficult for her TO restrain
my impetuous nature. | thought it an Indication of
manness to resist her authority, to appear to feel
penltent, although knew that my conduct panied
ler. The epithet worst dreaded was girl-boy. |
could not bear to have ii said by my companions
that was tied to my mothers apron-strings. From
quiet, home-oying child, | soon became wild,
boisterous boy. My dear mother used every per-
suaslon to induce me to seek happiness within the
precincts of home. She exerted herself to make
our FIRE side attractive, and my sister, following her
self-sacriicing examples, sought TO entce me by
planning games and diversions Tor my entertainment.
| i ait this, but did not heed it.
twas on an afternoon like this, that, as was
about leaving the dinner table, to spend the inter-
mission between morning and evening school, in the
street, as usual, my mother laid her hand upon my
shoulder, and said, mildly, but firmly My son, /
wish you would come with me- | would have re-
belled, but something in her manner awed me- She
put on her bonnet and said to me, We will take
+ walk together followed her in silence; and as
was passing out at the door, observed one of my
rude companions, sculking about the house, and
knew he was waiting for me. He sneered as went
past him. My pride was wounded to the quick
tie was very bad boy, but being some years older
than myself, he exercised 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 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 ,uGsightly pile,
stands the monument of my guilt forever.
My mother, being in feeble health, sat down and
beckoned me to sit beside her. Her look, so full of
tender sorrow, is present to me now. would not
SIT, but continued standing sulleny beside her. AL
ted, my dear son., said she, shave you lost all love
for your mother? / did not reply. Il 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 msdeeds, and of the fear
1ul consequences OF the course was pursuing. By
tears, entreaties and prayers, she tried to make an
impression upon me.> She placed before me the
! lives and examples of great and good men; she
sought TO stimulate my ambition. l was moved, but
too proud to show it, and remained standing in dog
ged silence beside her. thought, what will nv
companions say, if after all my boasting weld at
last, and submit to be led by woman
What agony was visible on my mothers counte-
nance, when she saw that all she said and suffered
failed to move me She rose to go home, and
followed at distance. She spoke no more till we
reached our own door. 1t is school time now,'
said she. Go, my son, and once more let me be-
seech of you to ponder on what have said.'
shan't go TO school, said |.
She looked astonished at my holiness, but firmly
replied,
Certainly you will go, Alfred command you'
Il will not y said with a tone of defiance.
One 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 ready prom
Use implicit obedience to my wishes in FUTURE
dare you to do it,, said |; you can't get me
up stairs.
Alfred, choose now,' said my mother, who laid
her hand on my arm. She trembed violently, and
was deadly pale.
If you touch me will kick you,' said l, in a
terrible rage. God knows knew not what said
win you go, Alfred p
No! replied, but quailed beneath her eye.
Then follow me- said she, as she grasped my
arm firmly. raised my foot and kicked her--my
sainted mother She staggered back few steps,
and leaned against the wall. She did not look ut
me. saw her heart beat against her breast. 80,
Heavenly father she CRIED forgive hm--hs knows
| not what he does ? The gardener just then passed
the door, and seeing my mother pale and almost IN
able to support herself he stopped; she beconed to
him to come in take this boy up stairs and lock
| him in his room,' said sbe and turned from me-
| Looking back as SHE was entering the room, she
gave me such lools--it will forever follow met
was look Of agony, mingled with the intensent
Iove-t was the last unutterabe pang from heart
| that was broken.
4 l,oneluded to.morroEl