Des Moines courier. ([Ottumwa] Iowa) 1848-1854, 1851-05-23
Il shan't 90 to school, said |.

ia HOts cuiS Win q lOile vi uG-
liance.
'One of two things you must do, AL
fred--either go TO school this moment,
or | will lock you in your room and keep
you there till you are ready to promise
implicit obedience TO my wishes in fu-
ture.'
Il 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
lrembled violently, and was deadly pale
IF you touch me will kick you,' said
lin a terrible rage. God knows |
knew not what | said.
will you go Al(red!
Nor | replied, but quailed beneath
her eye.
Then follow me- said she, as she
grasped my arm firmly. raised my
foot-oh, my son, hear neil 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 few
steps, and leaned against the wall. She
did not 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 my
mother pale and almost unable to sup
port 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 entering her room. she gave me
such look,--it will for ever follow me.
ii was look of agony. mingled with the
in,ensest love, it was the last, unut,er-
able pang from heart that was broken.
in moment found myself priso-
ner in my own room. | thought for
moment. would fling myself from the
open window, and dash my brains ont,
but | felt afraid to die. was not peni-
tent. AT times my heart was subdued,
but my stubborn pride rose and babe me
not to yield. The pale face of my mo-
ther haunted me. flung myself on the
bed, and fell asleep. | awoke at mid
night, stihened by the damp night air,
terrified with frightful dreams. would
have sought my mother at that moment
for trembled with fear. but my door
was fast. With the daylight my terrors
were dissipa,ed, and | became. bold in
resisting all good impulses. The servant
brought my meals, but did no. taste
them. | thought the day would never
end. just at twilight heard light
loo's,ep approach the door. 1t was my
sister, who called me by name.
What may | tell mother from your
she asked. ... .........
Nothing l replied. ~. .....
'Oh, Alfred! for my sake. Cor all our
sakes, say that you are sorry-let me
tell mother that you are sorry. She longs
to forgive you
i won't be driven 10 school against
my will,' said |. -..
But you will go if she wishes it, dear
Alfred said my sister; pleadingly.
No, Won't, said /, 'and you needn't
say word more aboutit.'
'Oh, brother! you will kill her. you
will kill her, and then you can never
have happy moment again
'lmade no reply TO this. My feelings
were touched but | still resisted their kind
influence. Ny sister called me, but
would not answer. | heard her foot
steps slowly retreating; and again flung
myself on the bed TO pass another wretch
ed and fearful night. Oh, God! how
wretched! how fearful / did not know.
Another footstep, slower and feebler
than my sisters. disturbed me. A voice
called me by name. Ii was my moth
er's.
alfred, my son, shall come in? Are
you sorry for what you have done?' she
asked.
i cannot tell what iuhuence; operat-
ing at that moment, made me speak ad-
verse TO my feelings. The gentle voice
of my mother that thrilled through me;
melted the ice from my obdurate heart,
and longed TO throw myself on her
neck, but ! did not. No, my boy, | did
not. But my words gave the lie TO my
heart, when said l was not sorry.
heard her withdraw. longed TO call her
back, bat 4 did not.
Il was awakened from an uneasy
slumber, by hearing my name called
loudly, and my sister stood by my bed
side.
Get up. Alfred. Oh, don't wait a
minute! Get up, and come with me-
Mother is DIVING
i thought was yet dreaming, but !
got up melancholy, and followed my
sister. On the bed, pale and cold as
marble, lay my mother. She had moi
undrcssed. She had thrown herself on
the bed TO rest; arising to 60 again to me,
she was seized with a palpitation of the
heart, and borne senseless TO her room.
i cannot tell you my agony as look
ed upon henry remorse was tenfold
more bitter from the thought that she
would never know it. | believed my.
self to be her murderer. l fell on the
bed beside her. could not weep. My
heart burned in my bosom; my brain