New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1853-05-20
SPEAK KIEDLT.

parents and children, brothers and sis ers-a
constant watchfulness ought to Be maintained
over our words anI actions, in order to avoid
lnnlctng unnecessary pain. How frequently
does 1t occur, that a word kindly spoken t.
those we once loved, but who have been since
removed by the hand Of death, will haunt on
memory long after ward, like an avenring de
mon, causing US poignant and vain regrets
Years after the Circumstance has passed out Of
our own minds snd the mind Of the friend we
may have grieved or wronged, if some sudden
calamity befllls him, or some unexpected sum-
mons calls him away from earth and removes
him from the scope Of our ability to make re-
dress, will the awakened memory Of the unkind
act OF word cloud the melancholy reflections
Of our wa sing hours, and even haunt our
dreams. But the most bitter and poignant re-
Elections arise when we have parted in unkind-
ness from some one connected with US by the
tenderest ties; and then no opportunity occurs
to effect reconciliation-the person We have
injured IS removed from Us suddenly by death
Then comes the period Of vain regrets and un-
availing self reproach. What would we give
for a moment Of time to ask and obtain one
word of forgiveness from that loved one we have
wronged: But, alas, too late too late.
The experience Of an acquaintance related by
himself not long ago, illustrates most forcibly
the above position. He had been living, he said
away from home for several months, and was on
visit of a week or two, at his fathers house
The father was man Of the most uncompro-
missing integrity, and cherished strong, though
honest prejudice against all light or transient
amusements. He had never allowed his chill
dren, while under his control, to attend dancing
parties or shows, or to mingle in the sports
which most men regard as unohiectionable or
at least, not altogether to be condemned The
consequence was that the children, as is usual
under similar cirtums tan:es, were fond Of in
dulging in the interdicted pleasures, and we're
apt, when an opportunity did occur, to carry
them too far. They felt that their father was
prompted by sincere conviction Of, and a de-
sire to discharge, the duties Of parent who feels
the weight Of his responsibility to God; but
they felt also that he was unnecessarily strin-
gent in his Interpretation Of what he considered
right or wrong. As a consequence, they did not
hesitate, when circumstances favored it, to evade
their fathers mandates upon the subject, and
even, when they dared, to set them at defiance
81 shall never forget said the narrator,
- nor cease to regret the incidents Of my last
visit home during my fathers life. There was
to be a ball at a neighboring tavern, by no
means a reputable place. and 1t was to come of
the evening before I was to return to my en-
ployment in a distant town. Feeling myself
emancipated from paternal control, (for l had
Just reached my majority and priding myself
upon the idea that was now master Of my own
actions, signihed my intention to be present
| My father, usual, forbade my attendance
l ans wered mm in anger, stating that his au-
| thority over me was hencetorth ended that he
| had treated me like boy, and had submitted
| like boy until now but since l had reached
| the age at which the law permitted me TO think
| and act for myself, l was determined to assert
my rights. even went so far, and was so un-
just to my father, as TO intimate that desire
| existed on his part to tyrannize over US, from
| love of paternal authority. He was a man OF
strong and naturally irritable feelings, but his
| motives were always Of the purest kind; and
| my conscience smote me as uttered the seuti.
ment which my pride would not permit me to re-
call.
An angry blush passed over his countenance
at such an unusual reception If his commands,
but he checked himself tinstantaneously and an
swered, with unusual mildness, Charles may
have erred in many points touching the govern
ment Of my children, but have endeavored to
do my duty as parent and man. The time
may come when you will be sorry for what you
have uttered today
4" And that time did come more speedily than
even he anticipated They We're prophetic
words. ana even ut this late day they haunt me
| in my dreams.
= Went to the ball, but did not enjoy my
| self; l was jovial, and full Of gee my asso.
| ciates thought me in unusually good spirits
| but it was all teigned, and hollow-hearted as
| sepulchre.
| - Charles, the time may come when you viii
be sorry for what you have uttered to-day =
| rung my ears.
1t was near morning when the party broke
| up, and | returned home, jaded i'll spirit. ex-
| hausted in physical energy, and worn down
with excitement | went 10 bed, and fell into a
troubled sleep, which lasted until near noon
| When | arose, dizziness and pain in the head
| incapactated me from mental exerton; still
| half resolved, ere | left home in the afternoon,
to confess my fault to my flther. met him at
the dinner table, but no allusion was made by
either of US TO the incident of the previous day
| and when arose from the table, it was near
| the hour at which it was necessary for me TO
take the coach. | followed my father into our
little parlor whittier he had gone as if desirous
| of altording me an opportunity to speak with
| him alone: but was ashamed to confess that
was wrong and merely said must bid him good
| by, as the coach was coming
g Have you nothing more to say, Charles :
he inquired.
| * No, l answered, and we parted. / took
the coach for the scene of my labors, displeased
and angry with myself, but now penitent; and
for week succeeding was industriou>ly en-
| pl0yed in my vocation, having allowed the un- :
| pleasant circumstance to pass out of my mind,
when an express came requiring my immediate
presence at home, for it was stated that my
father, in state of perfect and horid health
had been stricken down by an apoplectic fit.
Although still alive when the messenger left
he was insensible, and was not expected TO sur
vive Then. indeed | felt the full force of the
ominous prediction: The time may come
when you will be sorry for what you have ut
tered to-day | hastened home, full of anxiety
and grief, only to find my father at the point OF
death. He never gave token of recognition
of my presence, and resigned his spirit into the
hands Of God, amid the grief of sorrowng
household, of whom mine was infinitely the most
bitter. Once. indeed, before my arrival, he raj