The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1855-05-16
The Passionate Father.

The Passionate Father.
| "Greatcr is he who rulcth his spirit
than he who takelh City,"
Come here, sir said strong, ath-
lctic man. as lie seized delicate Look
ing boy by the shoulder. :Yoy have
been in the water again, sir. HGvn't
forbidden it?'
Yes, father, but
No buts!-havn't | forbidden it?'
yes sir. was
mo reply, sir!' and the blows fell
like haistorm about the child's head
and shoulders.
Not tear started from IIarry's
eye, but his face was deadly pale, aud
his lips firmly compressed, rs lie rose
and looked at his father with an un-
flnching eye.
Go to your room, sir, and stay
there until you are sent for. Pll mas
Ter that spirit before you are many
days older
Ten minutes after, IIarry's door
opened and his mother gIidcd gently
in. She was n fragile, delicate woman,
with mournful blue eyes, and temples
startIingly transparent. Laying her
hands softly upon Harry's head, she
stopped and kissed his forehead.
The rock was touched, and the wa.
ters gushed forth. Dear mother-
said the weeping boy.
Why didn't you tell your fatl,ef
that you plunged into the water to
save the life Of your play
Did he give me chance?' said
Harry, springing to his feet, with a
flashing eye. Didn't he twice bid me
be silent, when tried to explain?
Molher he's u tyrant to you and mel
Harry, he's my husband and your
fathcr!'
Yes, and I'm sorry for it. What
have | ever had but blows and harsh
words'-Look at your pale checks and
sunkcn eyes, mother! it's too bad, |
say! lies tyrant, mother! said the
boy, with clenched fist and set teeth.
and if it had not been for you, would
have been leagues off long ago. And
there's Nellie, too, poor sick childl
What good will all her medicine do
hor2 She trembies like d leaf when
she hears his foot.step. say it's
brutal, motherl'
'ilarry'-and q soft hand was ]aid
on the ,impetuous boys Iips--'for my
sake
We'll, it's only for your sake
yours and poor Nellie's, or should
have been on the sea somewhere
anywhere but here"
Late that night, Mary Lee stole to
her boys bed side, before retiring to
rest.--'God be thankful, he sIeeps.'
she murmcred, as she shaded her lainp
from his face. Then, kneeling at his
bed side. she prayed for patience and
wisdom TO bear uncomplainingly the
heavy cross under which her stems
were faltering; and then she prayed
for her husband.
NO, no, not thal!' said Harry
springing from his pillow, and throw.
ing his arms about her neck. 4 can
forgive him what he has done to me-
but ! never will forgive him what he
made you suffer. Don't pray for him;
at least don't let me hear it,
Mary Lee was too wise to expostu.
late. She Knew her boy was spirit
sore, under the sense Of recent inius.
tice; so she lay down beside him, and
resting her fearful cheek against his,
repeated in low, sweet voice the sto.
ry OF the crucihxion. 'Father, forgive
them, for they know not what thew
do" fell upon his troubled ear.
lie yielded to the holy spell.
i will he sobbed. Mother, YOU
are an angel; and if ever get to heav.
Ell, it will be your hand that has led
me there
There was hurryins to and fro Ro.
bert Lees house that night. 1t was
heavy hand that dealt those angry
blows on that young head!
The passionate fathers repentance
came too late,--came with the word
that his boy must die!
BE kind to her!' said Harry, as his
head dropped on his mothers shoulder.
1t was a dear. bought lesson! Be.
side that liteless corpse, Robert Lee
renewed his marriage VOW; and now.
when the hot blood Of anger rises to
his temples, and the hasty words
spring to his lip, the pale face Of the
dead rises up between him and the
offender, and an angelic voice whispers
hn nkt