The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1852-05-19
THE ONLY son.
"A THRILLING STORY.

: II -
adniiring the beauties he pointed out to
me with all the pride and precision of the
"oldest inhabitant," my attention was at.
tracted by an aged couple, dressed in deep
mourning, who were walking slowly down
a shaded avenue, in front of one of the
most beautiful residences in the place.
The feeble steps of the old lady, who
leaned heavily on the arm other compan.
ion, and the expression Of deep and lasting
sorrow which possessed her thin and pal.
lid features, contrasted with the firm tread
and stern solemn aspectof the old man,
awoke my curiosity, and | inquired if there
was not some domestic history Of interest
connected with this venerable couple.
"There is, indeed" replied my friend,
"nYou recall TO my mind one of the most
singular incidents-the most startling trag-
edy, in short-which our goodly village
ever Witnessed"
"That old and sorrow stricken COUPLE"
pursued my friend, "may be seen, twice
or thrice week; oltener when the weather
is walking down the avenue in just
such manner-never any fastet, never
any,slower. -
"You see them now getting in the car.
riage, which has just rolled up to the gate
They will ride mile when the carriage
will stop, and they will walk through an.
other gate, which is Of iron, hanging be-
tween posts Of iron, all black as ebony
They will enter green field, where the
birds sing sweetly these fine mornings, a
lonely field however, where are no dwell.
ings above ground, yet there are great
many inhabitants-the rich and the poor
intermingled,, and resting on the same lev.
el, about four feet beneath the sod!
This aged couple are going to visit the
grave of their only child.
1t was a son. Twill tell you his history
if you will listen. ...,. '.....,.
This old man was once the most enter
prising. the boldest and mos, resolute man
in the vicinity, His name is Col. H.
You have heard of him, for he distinguish.
ed himself in the last war. People used
to say he was made of iron. Yet he has
one of the most upright, generous hearts
in the world.
The old lady. remember as lady Of
great beauty, not more than twenty years
ago when she was about foriy.r Besides
she was quite as celebrated for her gentle
ness and benevolence. as the Colonel for
his iron will. She had a soft affectionate
heart. which shone benefcently onall, un.
Ill its warmth was concentrated in an only
child. s2 B8 s,3 se'tH@sa 20 NF
a He was a wild. handsome, passionate
boy, generous at times, but often tyranical
and willlul. We were schoolmates, and
we always played together until he was
sent away to an academy, when our init
macy ceased. 4 saw him rarely after
wards, until, having been expelled from
college for striking professor, in fit Of
passion, he returned to his fathers house
1 Morgan, in his childhood, had been in.
dulged 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 overthe stern treatment of her darling,
endeavored to make up for it in indul.
gence. Then the boy grew up to fear his
father, and to feel a contempt for the au.
thority oflhis mother. r' 'st "..
on Morgan's return from college
in disgrace, he was so changed that you
would hardly have known him; not so
much in personal appearance. for he was
eli ho hI,f in, tot tion hn
ing the, most reckless and dissipated fel-
low in the college. ,..,
~ Col. II. was terribly enraged at the dis
grace his wild son had brough, upon him
self and family. He treated him with
greater severity than ever, refusing to graf
ify his love of pleasure by furnishing him
with funds, and subjecting him with the
most rigid discipline. The result was,
father and son had terrible quarrel, in
which the latter, boldly facing the thun.
ders of the Colonel's wrath, proved him
self 70 have inherited his iron will, if not
his iearlessness Of character,
+" On that very day, Morgan left his faith.
er's house, and took up his residence at
the hotel. to the great distress Of Mrs. H.
who from that time, never saw a happy
day. These events occurred twelve years
ago. jsist salg,'h' geo a'7o 7'Hi7e
Idon't know that the young man ever
entered the house, but once afterwards, ex-
cept to see his mother in the absence ofthe
Colonel, and to obtain the funds she used
to spare for him out other own allowance.
Morgan wished to 60 abroad. But to
travel very extensively, required more
money. than Mrs. II. had at her command,
and all her efforts to induce the Colonel to
grant supply for the purpose were in
vain. She might as we'll have asked the
sea toideliver up its riches. Enraged at
the i'll success Of her application, Morgan
determined to see his father himself. and
by some means procure the amount he was
so desperately resolved to have. -
Learning, one day, that the Colonel had
received large sum Of money, from the