Washington telegraph., 1855-06-06
A Life Lesson.

Iva: the only SON Ny mother was a geu-
J. WOMAN, devoted to her children, and be-
T7ed BY every body. l remember her
ale beautiful face-her sweet, afectionate
s.,;Is-heI kind and tender voice In my
.I;IdbOOd | loved her intensely | was
,.rer apart from her. and she, fearing that
Tv.s becoming too much pe;:ed, sent me
bioh school in the village. After as
s-ei,tiiHe for time with rude, rough boys,
Lst. in 4 measure, my fondness for INV
Iome and my reverence for my mother :;
.r8t became more and more difficult for
her TO restrain my impetuous nature.
,bougt, j; indicated want of mauliness to
Weld TO her authority, or appear peni;ent,
,tbough | knew that my conduct panied
bar The epithet most dreaded was girl
b4-" Icluil not bear to hear 1t said by niy
c,7p,aBiors that | vas tied 10 NV mothers
.n-5n strings From = quiet, home loving
es;H soon became a wild. boi>terOus boy.
w dear mother used every persuasion to
ipiace me to seek happiness within the pre-
e;;uc.s Of home. She exer,ed herself to
MIKE our fre>ids attractive, and my sister.
fog0ging her SeIf-sacriGcing example. sought
70 ea,;ee ne by planning games and diver
SONS fr ulv entertainment | saw all this,
bgt id not heed it.
L was in the afternoon as I was about
Fsayinr the dinuer-iable, to spend my inter
mission between the morning and evening
school in the street. as usual. my mother
hid her hand upon ms shoulder. and said,
mildly but firmly. My son, [ want ron to
e5me with me-" | would have rebelled.
but there vas something in her manner that
arei ne She put on her bonnet, and said
to lie. I'VE Will take a walk together |
f1loKed her in silence and as was pass
ing o1; Of the door, ! observed one of
my rude companions, skulking about the
house and knew he vas waiting for me-
He sneered as went past him. Ny pride
va wounded 20 the quick He was I very
b1l boy but being several years older than
Gyself. be exercised great influence over
me- | followed ay mother sulkiiy, till we
reached the spot where we now stand, be-
rea;h tie shade Of this huge rock Oh,
esali that hour be blClted from my memo
Y. which has east dark shadow over nv
whole life, gladly would exchange all that
the world can afford NE, for the quiet peace
Of mind should enjoy But no Ike this
LUCE ursigh y pile, stands the monument of
ny guilt forever
Ny mother, being feeble in health. sat
dOsu and beckoued me to sit down beside
her. Her look, so full Of tender sorrow. is
PRESENT to me now would not SIT. but
continued Standing slIIcnly beside her.
Alfred, my son." said she. ''haye you
I0St all love for your mother 2'
| did not reply
Il fear You have" she continued, land
Hay God help you to see your own heart,
and me to do my duty"
She then talked to NE OF my nliSdecdS,
Of the dreadful consequences of the course |
WIS pursuing. By tears. entrcaties ans!
prayers. she tried to make an impression on
NE She plaeed before me the lives and
examples OF great and good men: she sought
to stimulate my ambition | was moved,
but too proud to show it, and remained in
dessed silence beside her thonell., what
vii ny companions say il. after AL nv boast
ing, yield at last. aud submit to be led by
aWOman p
What agony was visible on my mothers
ace when she saw that all she had said and
suffered failed TO move me She rose to 60
nome. and | followed at a distance She
spoke no more to NE till we reached our own
door.
1t Is school time nov. - said she: ego, nv
9n' .S and once more let NE beseech you to
'link upon what have said
L will not, said |, with loud tone of
defiance. WV "
pne OF these two things you must do,
Alfred, either 90 to school this moment. OF
/ viii lock YOU in your loom, acd keen vol,
up. mere until You are ready TO promise I'M
PiieI' o5edence to niy wishes in future
l dare You to do it, said /; You can't get
Alfred. choose now" said my moth
q Uh" laid her hand upon nv arm
cue tFemb!ed violently, aud was deadly
ii yon touch me III kic!!, you, said I, in
1'e!rlo.e rdge- God knows know 10. wha,
VIII You 90. Alfred p"
No. replied, but quailed beneath her
inen follow me-" said she, graspins m
arm firmly.
-, raised my foot and kicked her-my saint
" ao,her How my heart reels as the tor
,su' SI memory rushes over me. She stag
sIsi 0aeh few steps, and saw her hear
'eat against her breast
az VA Heavenly Father" she cried
"rs.se him, for he knows not wha. he
al ne gardener just then passed the door
m iIa seeing my mother pale and almoz, una.
oo5, VIC 20 support herself, be stopped; she beck
I.DH -Sa MIN IN. Take this boy up stairs and
10 - nlm In his rOom." said She. Looking
as she entered her room. she gave me
a io0k-it will forever follow me. L