Cooper's Clarksburg register. [volume] (Clarksburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1851-1861, 1852-04-07
Guuper's CIarkshllrg Regiatre
THE ONLY SON.

the coolest inhabitant," my attention was
attracted by an aged couple, dressed in
deep mourning, who were walking slowly
down shaded avenue, in front Of one OF
the most beautiful residences in the
place.
The fucblo steps Of the old lady, who
leaned heavily upon the arm Of her COM
panion, and the expression of deep and
lasting sorrow which possessed her thin
and paid features, contrasted with tho
firm tread, and stern, solemn aspect of the
old, man, awoke my curiosity, and l in
Quired il there was not some domestic his
tory of interest connected with this Vene-
rable couple.
"There is, indeed" replied my friend.
"You recall to my mind one Of the most
singular incidents-the most startling ira
gedy, in shOrt-which our goodly village
ever Witnessed"
"That old and sorrow stricken couple, "
pursued my friend, "may be seen twice
or three times 4 week oftensr when the
weather is fine-Walking down the ave.
nue. in just such manner-neVer any
faster, never any slower"
You see them now getting into the
carriage, which has just rolled up to the
gate, They will ride a mile when the
carriage will stop, and they will walk
through another gate which is OF iron,
hanging between posts of iron, all black
IS ebony, They will enter green field,
where the birds sing sweetlv these fine
mornings, a lonely field, however, whore
there are no dwellings above ground, yet
There are great many inhabitsnts-the
rich and the poor. intermingled, and res
ting on the same level, about four feet
beneath the sod
This aged couple are going to visit the
grave of their only child.
TWAS son. l will tell you his histo'
ry if you will listen.
This old man was once the most enter
prising, the boldest and most resolut to
man in the vicinity, His name il Col,
IL. You have heard Of him, for he
distinguished himself in the last war
People used to say he was made Of iron,
Yet he has one Of the mostupright, gene
rous hearts in the world.
The old lady, remember as lady of
great beauty, not more than twenty years
ago, when she was about forty. Besides
she was quite as celebrated for her gen.
tleness and benevolcnce, as the Colonel
for his iron will, She had soft, affec-
tiOnAts heart, which shone benefcially on
all, until its warmth was concentrated in
an only child,
He was q wild, handsome, passionate
boy, generous at times, but oftsner ty-
rannical and wilful. We were school
mates, and We always played together un-
til he was sent away to an academy,
when our intimacy ceased. l saw him
rarely afterwards, until, having been ex-
PEELED from college for striking professor,
in fit of passion, he returned to his ia
theirs house.
Morgan, in his childhood, had been
INDUCED and caressed by his fond mother,
and his father treated him with undue Sc
verify. The Colonel loved his boy, but
he believed in the necessity Of discipline,
TO curb his passions, while Mrs. II. weep
ing over the stern treatment Of her dar-
ling, cndeavored to make up for it in in
diligence, Then the boy grew up to fear
his father, and to feel contempt for the
authority of his mother.
Well, on Morgan's return from college
in disgrace, he WAS SO changed that you
would hardly have known him; not 80
much in personal appearance, for he was
stiIl handsome, but his reputation OF be-
ing the most reckless and dissipated fell
low in college,
Col, Il was terribly Onraged at the
disgrace his wild son had brought upon
himself and family. He treated him with
greater severity than ever, refusing to
CRAFTY his love of pleasure by furnishing
him with funds, and subjecting him with
the most rigid discipline, The result was;
father and son had q terrible quarrel, in
which the latter, boldly facing the thun-
ders Of the Colonel's wrath, proved him
aelf TO have inherited his iron will, If not
his .feAl lessness of character.
On that very day Morgan left his IA
thOr's house, and took up his residence at
the hotel, to the great distress of Mrs, H.,
who from that time never saw happy
day. These events occurred twelve years
ago.
l don't know that the young man ever
entered the house but once afterwards,
except to see his mother in the absence
of the Colonel and to obtain the funds
she used to spare for him out of her own
allowance.
Morgan wished to go abroad, But to
travel very extensively, required more
money than Mrs. H. had at her COM
mOnd, and all her efforts to induce the
Colonel to grant supply for the purpose,
were in vain. She might as vol have
asked the Sea to deliver its riches, En-
ragged at the i'll success of her application,
Morgan determined to see his father him
self, and by some means procure the
amount ne wasao desperately resolved to
have.
Learning, one day, that the Colonel
had received large sum Of money from
the sale Of some land, Morgan thought
it fine opportunity to descend on the
parental purse, and accordingly called on