Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1852-05-19
MISCELLANY.
-E~oOoO-o-~-O.>OO-~o-0~
TEE ONLY SON.
A THRILLING STORY,

On fine summer morning, as was rid
ING with friend through a handsome viii
age in the Central part of New York, and
adniring the beauties he pointed out to me
with all the pride and precision ofthe sold
est inhabitant,' my attention was attracted
by an aged couple, dressed in deep mourn
ing 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 upon the arm of her COM
panion, and the expression OF deep and
lasting sorrow which possessed her thin &
paid features, contrasted with the firm
t.ead, and stern, solemn aspect of the old
man, awoke my curiosity, and inquired if
there was not some domestic history of in
terest connected with this venerable cou-
pie.
"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 OF
three times a week; ottener when the
weather is fne-walking down the avenue
In Just such manner-aever any faster,
never any slower"
"You see them now getting into 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 another
gate which is Of iron, hanging between posts
ofiron, all black as eboay. They will will
enter green field where the birds sing
sweetly these fine mornings,a lonely field,
however, where there is no dwelling above
ground, yeu there are great many inhab-
bitants-th rich and the poor intermingled,
and rest ing Oh The sane level, about four
feet beneath the sod
This aged couple are going to visit the
grave of their only child.
1t was son. will tell you his history if
you will listen.
This old man was once the most enter
prising, the boldest and most reSolute man
IN the vicinity. His name is Col. H.
You have hea rd Of HIM, for he distinguish
ed himself IN the last war. People used
10 say he was made of lroE. 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 forty. Besides
she was quite as celebrated for her gentle
ness and beneyolence, as the Colonel for
Mis- iron will. She had soft afectionate
heart, winch shone btneficially on all, un-
ill its warmth was concentrated in an only
child.
He was wild, handsome passionate boy,
generous at times, but oitener tyrannical
and wiliul. We were school mates, and
we always played together until he was
sent away to an academy, when our init
macy ceased. Isaw him rarely afterwards,
until, having been expelled from college for
striking professor, in fit OF passion, he
returned to his fathers house.
Morgan, in his childhood, had been in
dulged and caressed by his fond mother, s
his father treated him with undue severity
The Colonel loved his boy, but he believed
b in the necessity Of discipline, to curb his
passions, while Mrs. IL. weeping over the
stern treatment OF her darling, endeavored
to make up for II in indulgence. Then the
boy grew up to fear his father and to feel a
coltempt for the authority Of his mother.