Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1853-08-31
The Youngest Son.

knew an aged man, few years since
gone to rcst, christian Of undoubted piety.
He was tall, erect, beautifully symmetrical
in his person, and gracefully digni6ed r all
bis movement. He was not rich, nor highly
educated; he was plain, ingenious farmer,
whose industry and economy had brought
to his possession hundred and fifty acres Of
improved landin Northern New York, and
business.
He was the father Of three cherished sons,
all Of whom had grown up to manhood. The
eldest had engaged in the profession Of law.
The second had married and settled upon a
small farm in a neighborng township. The
Youngest was early designated as heir to the
paternal homestead, the supporter Of his
parents in their age and in6rnities, and the
solace of their hearts as they should descend
the vale of years. More than usual attention
and expenditure had been bestowed upon
the latter son, and doubtless he had been
4 too much indulged. He early showed
spiritrestiye under restraint and intolerant Of
rebuke. His parents finally came to the con-
clusion, that it was the best to let him
have his own way, and to do what they rea-
sonably could to indulge him. But things
grew no better, till it was clear that, from
inclining ITO consult the wishes of parents,
James seemed to take sincere pleasure in
contravenipg their most reasonable require
ments. and to exhibit an utter disregard of
positive iniunetions. Still, his parents dear
!, " loved and gratiied him by every means
III their power.
Before James was twenty-one, he had vast
ed hundreds Of dollars in amusements and
foolish prodigality. At length his arrogance
and turbulence increased to an extent winch
:, quite exhausted both the resources and pa
tience Of his venerable sire. The old gen
{ tlemen finally called the attention Of his son
t to the stern necessities Of the case reminded
: him of the fact that he was wasting his ittl,
|. fortune; that much Of it had been expended
$ in extricating him from difficulties: that hund
: reds Of dollars had been layished upon hi
;, person, and in gratifying his unreasonable
n caprices: and that now there must be reckon
e ing, and his running. account be closed.
If He spoke Of the love which he had alway
/ borne him as the Benjamin Of his heart, 0
h sacrifices sFhch he had cheerfully incurred
+ and OF what he would still be willing to haz
: = ard, if he could see the slightest indication
4 Of his returning to duty and tilial propriety
is and as the model form Of the father earnestl
a. inclined towards the erring boy, the silver
e locks flowing gracefully backward, and Il
IS mild blue eye sparkling with burning drol
of parental grief, in that powerful eloquenc
= which is the out-bursting Of parental goo'
Z ness deied and provoked to desperation, h
~ demanded Of his son that he should RENAL
II At home, and fulfil the expectations Of h
IN father aud his mother, long and earnest
~ cherished.
as To this James readily demurred, and d
lls s clared he wonld be FORCED incu no ineasur
~ ~ although knowing it to be reasonable.
Ds The old gentleman then composedIy al
ou firmly advanced towards the door, and thro'
f a ing it wide open, said, Ny son there is Il
he door: and there, before you is the wide worl
L Go, aBd forget that'you have father: al
:, [, if possible, will forget that | have son
~ uu waywayd aud eslranged. Go, and nev
~ M again afiict my soul with reflection Of t
w, past
,ar James now saw that he was not REQUIR
on, to remain at home. that he was free to g
in and coaldimpose no obligation by remaini
the and now a change came over his spirits.
lay rushed into his fathers arms, and, for
>ea = first time, dropped uron the the pater
He braw the tears OF flial penitence, and