Camden journal. [volume] (Camden, South-Carolina) 1852-1852, 1852-11-12
The Passionate Father.
BY FANNY FERN.

Bl fANN1 rEhN.
Grcatcr is he who ruleth his spirit, than he who
taketh city,"
Come here, sirn said strong, athletic man, as
he seized dccate-looking lad by the shoulder.
You've been in the water again sir Hav'nt
I forbid it?
Yes, father, but
No Juts; hav'nt forbid they"
'Yes, sir, l was
No reply, sirn and the blows fell like hail
storm about the child's head and shoulders.
Not tear started from Harrvs eye, but his face
was deadly pale, and his lips firmly compressed,
as he rose and looked at his father with an I'M
flinching eye.
Go to your room sir, and stay there till YOU
are sent for I'll master that spirit Of yours, be-
fore you are many days older
Ten minutes after, narry's door opened. and
his mother glidcd gently in. She was a fragile,
gentle woman, with mournful blue eyes, and
temples startingly transparent. Laying her hand
soothingly upon Harry's head, she stopped and
kissed his forehead
The rock was touched and the waters gushed
forth. Dear mother" said the weeping boy.
why didn't YOU tell your father that you
plunged into the water to save the life of your
playmateF
Did lie gire me a chanccr said Harry. spring
ing to his feet with flashing eye. Didn't he
twice bid me be silent, when tried to explain'
Mother, he's tyrant to YOU and me"
Harry, he's my husband and your father
Yes, and am sorry forit What have ever
had but blows and harsh words? Look ut your
pale cheeks and sunkcn eyes, mother
It's too bad, say; he's a tyrant, MOTHER
said the boy, with cenched fist and set teeth,
'anc if it were not for you, would have been
leagues off lone ago
And there's Nellie too, poor sick child. What
good will all her medicine do her! She trem-
bles like leaf when she hears his footstcp.
say, its brutal, mother!
Harry, (and soft hand was laid on the i'm
retuous boys lips,) for my sake
well, It's only for your sake-yours and poor
any where but here
Late that niyht Mary Lee stole to her BOYS
bedside before retiring to rest.
God be thanked he sleeps she murmured as
she shaded her lamp from lis face, Then knecl-
ing at his bedside. she prayed for wisdom and
patience to bear uncompainingy the heavy
cross on wlicb>ler steps We're tatcring; and then
she prayed fjr~hm
No. no. not" said Harry, sprngirg from lis
pillow and throwing his arms about her neck, 4
can forgive him what he has done 10 me, but
never vii for what he has made you suffer; don't
pray for him; at least don't let me hear it,
Mary Lee was too wise to eypo>tnlatc She
knew her boy WIS spirit sore under the sense OF
recent injustice; So she lay down beside him.
and resting her fearful check against his, repeat
ed in a low, sweet voice thc story Of the cructX
ion. Father, forgive them. they know not what
they do" fell upon his troubled ear. lie yield
cd to the holy spell.
Il will" he sobbcd. Mother you are an angel,
and if | ever get to heaven, it will be your hand
that has led me there"
There was hurrying oand fro in Robert Lees
house that night 1t WAS heavy hand that
dealt those heavy blows on that young head.
The passionate fathers repentance came too
late-came with word that his boy must de-
BE kind to her said Harry, as his head drop
ped upon his mothers shoulder.
1t was dearly bought lesson! Beside that
lifeess corpse Robert Lee renewed his marriage
VOW; and now when the hot blood of anger rises
to his temples and the hasty word springs to lis
lip, the pale face Of the dead rises up between
him and the offender, and an angel voice whis
pers-Peacei be siHn