The weekly Lancaster gazette. (Lancaster, Ohio) 1852-1855, 1854-03-16
spuRg MOT 4 MOIHlRs cpNTa9..
A ToUcHIze STORY.

nave teacneua maven oi rest from the prTils I
OF the sea. During his absence, bad 4
grown from child and baby Of my mother.
Qor was the youngest) into a rough, care. /
less headstrong boy. Her gentle voice no
longer restrained me. He soon perceived I
the spirit Of finsubordination stirring within
me. | saw by his manner IL dispisased him. (
although for a few days he said nothing to
me about IL.
II was en- aIlernScn in October, bright /.
and golden, that my father told me To get
my hat, and take walk with him We
turned down lane inio fine open field,
favorite play ground ior the children OF the
neighborhood. After talkisg eheerfully on
different topics for while, my father asked
me il observed that huge shadow thrown
by mass Of rocks that stpud in the midst Of
the field. replied that did.
"My laiher owned this land, sid he
II was my playground when . boys asFhat
rock stood there then To me il was a
beacon, and whenever look at II, recall
a dark spot in mJ life-an event so painful
10 dwell upon, that fit were not as warn
ing should rot speak oft. Listen then my
dear boy, andlearn wisdom from your faith
er's errors.
"My father died when I was child +
was the only son. Ny mother was gentle,
loving woman devoted TO her Children, and
believed by every one. | remember her
pale, beautiful face-her sweet, nfFeetionate
smile-her kind and tender voice. To my
childhood, | loved her intensely. | never
was apart from her, and she fearing that |
was becoming TOO much Off baby, sent me
to high school in the village. After asso-
ciating for a time with rude, rgugh boys
lost in a measure the fondness for my home,
and my reverence for my mother, and il be-
came more difficult to restrain my impetous
nature. thought it indicated want OF
manliness to yield tc her authority, or ap-
pear pen tent, although | knew my conduct
panied her. The epithst NEST dreaded
was girl-boy. / could not bear to hear it
said by my companions that was tied 10
my mothers apron.strugs From a quiet
home loving child, soon became a wild
roisteriug boy. Ny dear mother used every
pursuasion to induce me to seek happiness
within the precincts Of home. She exeIed
herself to make our fre-side attractive, and
my sister 70 lowing her self-sacriticing ex-
ample, sought to entce me by planning
games and diversions for my entertainment
| saw all this, but did not heed it.
at was an afternoon like this, that as
was about leaving the dning-table to spend
the intermission between the morning and
afternoon school in the street, as usual, my
mother laid her hand OF my shoulder, and
snid mildly, but firmly, My son, | wish you
to come with me- | would have rebelled,
but something in her manner awed me
She put on her bonnet, and said to me, We
will take little walk together followed
her in 81 ence, and as passed out the door
| observed one of my rude companions skulk-
ing about the house, and | knew he was
waiting for me. Hs saeered as went past
him. My pride was wounded to the quick
lie was a very bad boy, but being some
wears older than myself, he exercised great
influence over me. | followed my mother
suIkiy ill we reached the spot where
now stand, bei cath the shade OF this huge
rock. o, my boy, could that hour be blot
ted from mp memory, which has cast dsrl
shadow over my whole life, gladly would
exchange all that the world can offer for thu
quiet peace of mind should enjoy. But no
like the huge unsghtly pile, stands the mon
ument OF my guilt forever
"My mother, being feeble in health, sa
down and beckoned me to sit down besd
her. Her look so full Of tender sorrow, i
present with me now 1 would not sit bu
; conti6ued standing suilenly beside her.
"Alfrcj, my son, said she, shave you los
all love for your mo,herp did not reply
'I fear you have she continued ,'and ma,
God help you to see your own heart, an
me to do my duty" She then talked TO m
= of my misdeeds, of the dreadful consequence
of the course was pursuing. By tears, ,en
treaties, and prayers she tried to make a
! impression on me. She placed before N.
: the lives and examples OF great and goo
men; she sought to stimulate my ambition
| was moved, but too proud to show il, an
remained standing in dogged silence besid
t her. thought, What will my COM nion
say if, after all my boasting, yield at las
and submit to be led by woman!'
: What agony was visible on my mother
n face when she saw that ali she had sail an
suffered failed to move me! She rose to Q
home, and followed at a distance. Sh
spoke no more to me till we reached our ow
door,.
"Oue OF these two things you must do, "A
fred; either 90 to school this moment, or
. will lock you in your room, and Keep yo
i there till you are ready to promise impiic
obedience to my wishes in future
81 dare you to do it," said /; "you can
n get me up stairs"
e "Alfred, choose now" said my mothe
b. who laid her hand upon my arm. She treu
bled violently, and was deadly pale.
elf you touch me, will kick you," sal
/. I, in a terrible rage. God knows kne
i. not what | said.
"Wil you 90 A lfredi"
10 "No!" replied; but quailed beneath h'
:, eyes.
st "Then follow me-" said she, as she grrsl
"a ed me firmly.
y al raised my foot--O, my son, hear me!
l. raised my foot and kicked her-my sainte
mother! How my head reels as the torrer
of memory rushes over me! She staggere
sr back few steps and leaned against I'll
r. wall. She did not look al me. saw h'
heart beat against her breast. 20, Hea'
It enly Fathern she cried, forgive him
knows not what be does!' The gardner ju
B then passed the door, and seeing my mctI
l. er pale and almost unable to support he
of self, stopped; she beckoned him in. 'TaR
y this boy u2 stairs, and lock him in h
ue ROOM said she and she turned from me-
Looking back, ,as she was entering her roof
she gave me such look-it will forev,
n follow mo. 1t was Look ofagony, mingl,
n with the intensest love-it was the last ul
Is uterable pnng from heart thatwas broke
1t "In moment Ifound myself a prison
!, in my room thought for a moment
n would dash my brains out, butI felt afra
= A