Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1854-03-24
WITH IT'S TRIBUTARIES
RAIL ROAD

room, and keep you there till you arc
ready to promise implicit obedience 10
my wishes in future.
IL dare you to do it," said l, you
can't get me up stairs"
"Alfred, choose now," said my
mother, who laid her hand upon my
arm. She trembled violently and was
deathly pale.
"lf you touch me | will kick you, /"
said |, in u terrible rage. God knows
| know not what | said.
"Will you go. Alfred?"
mo, / replied, but quailed beneath
her eyes.
"1'hen follow me-" said she, as she
grasped my arm firmly.
raised too my fect-o. my son,
hear NEIL raised my foot and kicked
her-my sainted motherl How my
head reels. as the torrent of memory
rushcs over mel She staggered bacl.
n few steps and leaned against the wall,
She did not look NJ me. saw her
heart beat against her breast.
20. heavenly father" she cried,
"forgi,e him, he knows not what he
docs.'
The gardner just then passed the
door, and seeing my mother pale, and
almost unable 10 support herself, he
stopped; she beckoned him IN.
fake this boy up stairs, and lock
him IN bis room, said my molherand
turned from me.
Looking back, as she was entering
her room, she gave me such look
IL will forever follow mel IL was u
look Of agony, mingled with tho in
tensest love. II WAS the last unulter.
able pang from n heart that was bro.
KEN
In moment found myself pris-
oner IN my room. | thought for u
moment would dash my brains out.
but felt afraid TO die. was not pen
itent. AZ times my heart was sub.
duej. but my stubborn pride rose in
an instant, aud bade me not to yield.
The pale face of my mother haunted
me. flung myself on the bed and
fell asleep. | awoke at midnight suf-
iering with the damp air, and terrified
with frightful dreams. ] would hayt
sought my mother at that moment,
for | trembled with fear; but my door
was fast. With the daylight my ter
rors were dissipated. and | became
bold in resisting all good impulses
The servant brought my meals, but /
did not taste them. | thought the
the day would never end. Just ut
twilight heard light footstep ap-
proach the door. IL was my sister,
who called me by name.
"What may | tell mother for you?"
she asked.
Nothing" | replied.
80, Alfred, for my sake, for all Of
our sake, say that you are sorry. She
longs TO forgive YOU"
81 won't be driven TO school against
my WILL" said l.
"But you will go il she wishes il.
dear Alfred" said my sister pleading
ly..
mo | won't" said /, "and you
needn't say no more about It,"
40, brother, you will kill herl You
will kill her, and then you will never
have n happy moment"
made no reply to this. My feelings
were touched, but still resisted their
influence. Ny sister called me, but /
would not answer. | heard her foot
steps slowly retrcating, and again /
flung myself on the bed TO pass another
wretched and fearful night. o, God
how wrelchedl how fearful | did not
know.
Another footsiep, slower and fec
bier than my sisters disturbed me. A
voice called me by name. IL WAS my
mothers.
"Alircd, my son, shall come? Are
you sorry Tor what you have doneg"
she asked.
| cannot tell what influence, opera
ting ut that moment, made me speak
adverse to my feelings. The gentle
! voice OF MY mother, thatthriiled thro' u
: me, melted the ice from my obduratc