The primitive Republican. (Columbus, Miss.) 18??-1852, 1852-05-06
THE ONLY SON.
A THRILLING STORY.

On nne summer morning, as l was rid
ing with friend through handsome vii
lage IN the Central part of New York, and !
the beauties he pointed out to me
with all the pride and precision of the sold
est inhabitant," my attention was attracted
by an aged couple, dressed in deep mourn
ing, who were walking slowly down sha-
ded avenue, in front of one of the most
beautiful residences in the place.
The feeble steps of the old lady, who
leaned heavily upon the arm of her COM
panion, and the expression of deep and last
ing sorrow which possessed her thin and pal
id features, contrasted with the firm tread,
and stern, solemn aspect of the old man, a.
woke my curiosity, and l inquired if there
was not some domestic history of interest
connected with this venerable couple.
"There is, indeed" replied my friend
"You recall to my mind one of the most
singular incidents-the most startling trag-
edy, in short-which our gOodly village ev-
er witnessed"
"That old and sorrow stricken couple"
pursued my friend, may be seen twice
or three times week; oftner when the wea-
ther is fne-walking down the avenue in
just such a manner-neyer any faster, new
er any slower"
You see them now getting into the car
riage, which has rolled up to the gate. They
will ride mile when the carriage will stop,
and they will walk through another gate
which is of iron, hanging between posts of
iron, all black as ebony. They will enter a
green field, where the birds sing sweetly
these fine mornings, lonely field, however,
where there are no dwelling above ground,
yet there are great many inhabitants-the
rich and the poor, intermingled, and resting
on the same level, about four fest beneath
he sod
This aged couple are going to visit the
grave of their only child
1t was son. Twill tell you his history
if you will listen
This old man was once the most enterpri-
sing, the boldest and most resolutc man in
the vicinity His name is Col Il.
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 tho
world
The old lady, remember as lady o.
great beauty, not more than twenty years
ago, when she was about forty Besides shC
was quite as celebrated for her gentlenes
and benevOlence as the Colonel for his iror
will. She had a soft, affcctionate heart
which OshOne benefcially on all, until it
warmth was concentrated in an only child
He was a wild, handsome, passionate boy
$ generous at times, but oftner tyrannical ant
4 wiful. We were school mates, and we al
ways played together until he was sent ava,
to an academy, when our intimacy ceased
| saw him rarely afterwards, until, havin
e been expelled from college, for striking pre-
fessor, in fit of passion, he returned to hi
fathers house.
Morgan, in his childhood, had been bee
INDUCED and caressed by his fond mother
: and his father treated him with undue sever
o ity The Colonel loved his boy, but he b
l. ieved in the necessity of discipline, to cur
his passions, while Mrs H. weeping Owe
the stern treatment of her darling, endca,
ored to make up for it in indulgence The
the boy grew up to fear his father and to fe
a contempt for the authority of his mothe
Well, on Morgan return from college
disgrace, he was so changed that you woul
hardly have known him; not so much in pc
personal appearance, for he was still han
a. some, but his reputation of being tic mo
T, reckless and dissipated fellow in college.
Col. H-was terribly enraged at Il
o. disgrace his wild son had brought upon hir
IS, self and family. He treated him with gre
re ter severity than ever, refusing to crafty
lily love of pleasure by furnishing him wi
he funds and subjecting him with the most ri
is id discipline. The result was; father al
Dr. son had terrible quarrel, in which the |;
ter boldly facing the thunders of the Col
nel's wrath proved himself to have inherit
;, his iron will, if not his fearlessneSs Of oh;
acter.
On thatday Morgan left his father hou'
10 and took up his residence at the hotel,
the great distress of Mrs. H. who from til
time never saw happy day. These ever
al, occurred twelve years ago.
ny / don't know that the young man ever {
us us tered the house but once afterwards, exec
=" to see his mother in the absence of the G.
onel, and to obtain the funds she used
-. spare him out of her own allowance.
n morgan WISuGu 10 ~ dDIodu' OuG
es' travel very extensively, required more co
* mand, and all her efforts to induce the G
onel to grant supply for the purpose, We
in vain. She might as well have asked t
- sea to deliver its riches. Enraged at t
IS, i'll success of her application, Morgan det
IA. mined to see his father himself and by sol
means procure the amount he was SO desp
atelv resolved to have.
Learning, one day, that the Colonel h
m received large sum of money from the S;
of some land, Morgan thought it fine {
portunity to descend on the parental pur
and accordingly called on the old gentlem
before he had time to use the money or {
pOsite it in the bank.
n. A domestic in the family, who admit
Morgan relates that the Colonel was in
study, and there was bundle of bills
: the table when the young man entered.
Inc ColonePs countenance never chang
u.s. as ne looked up and saw his son standing
tore HIM, and when he spoke his words cal
forth cold and hard, as if his throat b
BEEN of marble.
What is your business, sir?''
oIIe Morgan returned his fathers stern II
with an unAinching gaze, as he replied.
o, came to prefer claim"
At the word claim, the Colonel sheer
but said nothing.