American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-04-07
THE TIMELY WARNING.
GConcluded.1


Gin moment found myself prisoner in
my own room. l thought, for a moment,
would fling myself from the open window, and
dash my brains out, but / felt afraid to die.
was not penitent. At times my heart was SUBJ
dued, but my stubborn pride rose in an instant,
and bade me not to yield. The pale face of my
mother haunted me. l flung myself on the
bed, and fell asleep. l awoke at midnight,
stiffened by the damp night air, and 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 telrors were dissipnted, and became bold
in resisting all good impulses. The servant
brought my meals, but did not taste them.
1 thought the day would never end Just at
twilight heard light footstep approach the
door. 1t was my sister, who called me by name.
"'What may tell mother from your she
asked.
"'Nothing, I replied.
"'Oh, Alfred, for my sake, for all our sakes,
say that you are sorry She longs to forgive
you. .0"
"'I won't be driven to school against my will, :
said I.
g" But you viii go, if she wishes it, dear Al
fred, said my sister pleadingly.
"No, WON'T said /, and you needn't say
q word more about it.
"'oh, brother, you win kill her you will
kill her and then you can never have happy
moment again
" | made no reply to this My feelings were
touched, but still resisted their kind influence
My sister called me- but would not answer |
heard her footsteps slowly retreating, and again
flung myself on the bed to pass another
wretched night. 0 God, how wretched how
fearful | do not know.
'Another footstep, slower and feebler than
my sisters, disturbed me. A voice called me
by name 1t was my mothers Alfred, my
son, shall come in = Are you sorry for what
you have done 2 she asked.
81 cannot tell what influence, operating at
that moment, made me speak adverse to my
feelings. The gentle voice of my mother, which
thrilled through me, melted the ice from my
obdurated heart, and longed to throw myself
on her neck, but did not No, my boy, did
not. But my words gave me the lie to my heart,
when said | was not sorry. | heard her with
draw. heard her groan. / longed to call her
back, but I did not. -
81 was awakened from an uneasy slumber
by hearing my name called loudly, and my sis
ter stood beside me. Get up, Alfred. don't
wait minute Get up, and come with me-
Mother is dyingp thought was yet dream
ing, but | got up mechanically, and followed
my sister. On the bed, pale and cold as mar
BILE, lay my mother. She had not undressed
She had thrown herself on the bed to rest !:
arising to go again to me, she was seized with
palpitation of the heart and was born sense
less to her room.
81 cannot tell You my agony as | looked
upon her; my remorse ten times more bitter
from the thought that she would never know
it, ! believed myself to be her murderer |
fell on the bed beside her. could not weep.
My heart burned in my bosom; my brain is all
on fire. My sister threw her arms around me,
and wept in silence. Suddenly we saw slight
motion of my mothers hand; her eyes Enclosed.
She recovered consciousness but not speech
She looked at me- and moved her lips l could
not understand her words Mother, mother!
shrieked, say only that you forgive me.
She could not say it with her lips, but her hand
pressed mine. She smiled upon me, and lifting
her thin white hands, she clasped my own
within them, and cast her eyes upward fell
on my knees beside her. She moved her lips
in prayer, and thus she died. ] remained still
kneeing beside that dear FORM till my gentle
sister removed me. She comforted me, for she
knew the heavy load Of sorrow at my heart ;
heavier than grief for the loss Of q mother, for
it was load of sorrow for sin. The ioy of
youth had left me forever
My son, the suffering such memories AVA
ken must continue as long as life God is
merciful; but remorse for past misdeeds is q
canker-worm in the heart, that preys upon it
forever" aU. O
My father ceased speaking, md buried his
face in his hHnds. | saw and felt the bearing
his narrative had upon my character and con-
duct. have never forgotten it. Boys who
spurn mothers control, who are ashamed to
own that they are wrong who think it manly
to resist her authority or yield to her influence
6e,odre! Lay not up for yourselves bitter mem
cries for your future years.