Eastern times., 1853-04-21

to get rid oft. can't fight my father, though
am strong enough, for that would be wicked.
and 'twould kill mother. There is one thing
might do-and I'll do it'll clear out and %
to sea- Bot your mother said a still small
voice, which sent throbbing 10 his breast.
i can't help it, said Jacob, 'she would be bet
ter off without me. will write and let her
know, and when become man, will come
home and try TO comfort her. But | must
keep out of her sight, or she'll come it over
me. almost like to have father angry with
me, but some how things look different when
mother talks to me. She makes me think that
am to blame, and that might learn to love
and respect him.
True to his promise, young Simmons saw as
little ofAis mother as possible that night He
took hasty supper, and thus affected to be
very busy with the evening chores till the time
for retiring. Once in his chamber the per-
verse boy thought himself secure. He sup
posed that he had elnded the vigilance of his
mother, but he had forgotten that the eve of
his mothers God was upon him. He had
avoided conversing with her lest it should make
him weak and wavering in his purpose, but he
could not close his ear against that voice that
would be heard, nor still the warnings of his
bosom. There said he, as the old kitch-
en- clock told the hour of twelve, now / am
ready A large heap of clothing lay on the
floor, which he had pulled from his wardrobe.
and from which he had in his abstraction Sc
lected scanty bundle Of the most useful arti-
cles. yes, said he, gathering up his bundle,
4 am ready. If only had that little portrait,
and perhaps might look at her face once more
as she sleeps Jacob began to remove his
thick shoes very gently, but as he detected a
large tear rolling down his face, he kicked
them off with violence. Had the poor boy
been in reality thief, he could not have fel,
more degradation than he did while creeping
softly, and in his stockings, to steal his moth
er's portrait and glance at her beloved face.
What then, must have been the feelings Of the
poor culprit, as he discovered that his mother
was not sleeping as he supposed-not even in
bed, but kneeling near the window, and the
pale moon was shining on her snowy garments.
The door being ajar, Jacob had been able to
push it open without noise, and now he stood
In presence of his praying mother. my poor,
poor boy, murmnred she with uplifed hands,
Father in Heaven, be merciful to him, and
gather him into the fold Of Christ The next
pmoment Jacob was kneeling by her side, SOB
bing as though his heart would break. Before
he left the chamber the penitent boy confessed
not the theft, for of that he was guItless-but
all his stubborn disrespect~ towards his father
and promised that henceforth he would try tc
honor him even as from his heart he honored
her. Then returning to his apartment, the
young penitent laid down to rest peaceful and
happy that he had been saved the sin and dis
grace of flight from his fathers house.
A year after the above events young Sim.
mons sat with his parents at dinner. There
were guests present, and the father was as
usual, riding his old hobby. Talk to me,
said he, of your moral suasion, and all that
stuff. tell you il don't work. Now here is nv
boy, proof Of il. He was the most stubborn
child ever saw. His mother used 10 whine
and say nothing but mildness would conquer
him; but knew better, and,' said he, look
ing up with most self satisfied air, Il fairly
licked il out Of him. A better boy than he
has been the past year cannot be found
Young Simmons laid down his knife and
fork, while the honest indignant blood
mounted TO his brow. Full well did he
know the fraternity of that stubborn nature
which had cost him so much. Was il not
fostered and strengthened beneath that boast
ed discipline? and was not its cure engrav-
ell upon his heart of hearts,? The next
moment and another version Of the story
would have been presented TO the party
But one glance 10 the maternal face where
beamed patience and endurance, and on
whose lips ever sat the law OF kindness, was
enough for the excited youth. Quietly lifting
his glass to his lips, young Simmons in a
draught of pure cold water swallowed his
resentment and memory of his wrongs TO-
gelher, and never alluded to them,
And SO the secret was boarded between
Jacob and his mother.