South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1853-05-20
SPEAK KINDLY.

" Ue uidIuSdlucu over O" wOIuS auu dC-
tions, in order 10 avoid inficting unneces-
sary pain. How frequently does it occur,
that word unkindly spoken to those we
once loved, but who have been since re-
moved by the hand OF death, will haunt
our memory long afterward, like an aveng-
ing demon, causing us poignant and vain
regrets: Years after the circumstance has
passed out Of our own minds and the mind
of the friend we may have srievcd or
wronged, if some sudden calamity befalls
him, 5r SOME unexpected ss.i1Iii!.TJns --;sll,
him away from earth, aud removes him
from the scope of our ability 10 make re-
dress, will the awakened memory Of the
unkind act or word cloud the melancholy
reflections Of our waking hours, and even
haunt our dreams. But the most bitter and
poignant reflections arise, when we have
parted in unkindness from some one con-
nccted with lis by the tenderest ties; aud
then no opportunity occurs 10 effect 4 re-
cancellation, the person we have jured
is removed from us suddenlysby DEATH
Then comes the period of vain regrets and
unavailing self reproach. What would we
give for moment of time to ask and OBJ
tain one word Of forgiveness from that Low.
cd one we have wronged but, alas! loo
late. too late !
The experience of an acquaintance, re-
lated by himself not long ago, illustrates
most forcibly the above position. He had
been living, he said, away from home fer
several months, and was on visit Of week
or two, at his fathers house. The father
was man Of the most incorporating
integrity, and cherished strong, though
honest prejudice against all light or trap
silent amusements. He had never allowed
his children, while under his control, TO
| attend dancing parties or shows, or to min
gle in the sports which most men regard
as unobjectionabIe, or, at least, moi altoge-
ther to be condemned. The consequence
was, that The children, as is usual under
similar circumstances, were fond Of indul.
ging in the interdicted pleasures, and were
apt, when an opportunity did occur, to
carry them too far. They frlLthat their
father was prompted by sincere convic-
tion Of, and desire 10 discharge, the du-
lies Of parent who feels the weight OF
his responsibility TO God but they felt
| also that he was unnecessarily stringent in
his Interpretation Of what he. considered
| right or wrong. rs cOnsrqfiSncr, lhry
did mol hesitate, when circumstances IA
voured it, 10 evade their fathers mandates
upon the subject, and even, when they
dared, 10 sci them at d, fiance.
4 shall never forget said the narrator,
'nor Cease to regret the incidents of my last
visit home during my fathers life. There
was 10 be bail at a neighboring tavern
by no mans reputable place, and it wa.
TO come of the evening before l was TO re-
turn 10 my employment in distant town.
Feeling myself emancip pated from patcrna
control, TOR had just reached my msiori.
ty,) and priding myself upon the idea that
| was now master OF my own actions,
signitied my intention 10 be present. My
father, as usual, forbade my attendance. ]
answered him in anger, stating that hi:
authority over me was hencciorth ended
that he had treated me like boy, and |
had submitted like boy until now hui
since had reached the age at which the
law permitted me to think and act for my
self, was determined TO assrrt my rights.
even went so far, and was so unjust to
my father, as to intimate that desire ex-
IStrd on his part to tyrannize over us, from
love Of patrrnal authority. lie was a
mail o! strong and naturally irritable feel
ings, but his motives were always Of the
! pnrrst kind; aGd my Conscience smotc me
as uttered the sentiment which my pride
would not permit me 10 recall.
An angry blush passed over his countc.
nance, al such an unusual reception Of hi.
commands, but he checked himself instan.
| taneously, and answered, with unusual
miIdness, Charles, may have erred in
many points touching the government oil
my children, but 1 have cndeavoured tc
do my duty as parent and as man. The
time may come when YOU will be sorry
for what you have uttered to-dayn
Sand that lime did come. mose speeGly
than even he anticipated. They were
prophetic words, and even at this late day
they haunt me in my dreams.
4 went 10 the ball, bot did not enjoy
myself: ] was iovial, and full Of glce my
associates thought me in unusually goot
| spirits, bit it was all frisned, and hollow.
hearted as sePulchrc.
sCbarles, the tim. may come when vor
will be sorry for what you have uttered
to-day" rung' in my ears.
ut was near morning when the party
broke up, and returned home, iadcd in
spirit, exhausted in physical energy, and
worn down with excitement. went TO
bed, and fell into troubled sleep, which
lasted until near noon. When arose, a
dizziness and pain in the head incapacita.
ted Inc from mental excrtion still | hall
resolved, ere left home in the afternoon,
to confess my fault 10 my father. met
hin at the dinner table, but no allusion
was made by either Of us 10 The incident
OF the previous day and when we arose
from the table, il was near the hour at
which 1t was necessary for me TO take the
coach. followed my father into orr lit
tie parlonr, whittier he had gone as if de-
slrous Of afording me an opportunity 10
speak with him alone but was ashamed
10 confess that was wrong, and merely
said must bid him gosd-by, as the coach
was coming.
'Have you nothing more 10 say, ,Charlcs''
|, ;n,,,r,.i