Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1857-02-25

1
but a few days longer on earth. l feel
that the sands in my glass have most all
run out, but before / depart hope I may
see my two boys in love-I hope I may see
them once more bound together in the
sweet bonds of friendship. When you were
babes | nursed you, and cared for you, and
tried to do a mothers duty. I tried to
make you fit for the great world. And as
you grew older | promised myself a full
share of happiness in your companienship,
and naught has come to dim the JOY of my
widowed heart till this sad cloud lowered
upon me. l love my children-Ilo love them
both alike-aud they love not each other.
Lowell, my son, one thing weighs heavy
upon me. Should this thing last till I am
dead, then how will you and John meet by
the side of my corpse? How will you
feel when you come To-"
"Hush my mother" uttered the stout
man, trembling Ike reed. "Say no more
now This evening | will speak to you my
mind"
John Stearns sat in his easy chair in
his own cozy parlor, and about him were
his wife and children. Everything that
money could procure towards real comfort
was his, and stiifhe was not happy. Amid
all his comforts there was one dark cloud
to trouble him. The spot where for long
years he had nurtured a brothers love was
now vacant. No, not vacant, for it was
filled with bitterness. He knew it was his
fault, but he tried to excuse himself by
thinking that his brother hated him
This, however, did not ease his conscience,
for be knew that he was lying to himself.
While he sat thus he heard a rap at the
front door, and in a few moments one of
the children told him that Uncle Lowell
wanted to see him.
"Tell him to come in" said John and
after this he made a motion for his wife
and children to leave the room. "I shant
bulge an inch," he muttered to himself
eff he thinks to brighten me he'll find his
mistake"
Before he could say more his brother en-.
tered the room.
"Good evening, john" said Lowell, at
the sam time laying his hat on the table.
John Stearns was taken aback by this
address, and could hardly believe his ears
but responded hesitatingly to his salutation
For an instant he looked up into his broth
er's face, and during that instant there
flashed across his mind a wish that he hae
never offended.
"John," continued Lowell, still standing
"ycu well know what has made us both IN
happy"
eyes, | KNOW answered John, hardl,
knowing what tone to assume.
DWELL my brother" continued Lowell
while a Iear glisteued in his eye, aud a
he same time extending his hand, ,1hay
come to bury the evil that has risen u
between US. If you have wronged me,
freely forgive you, and if | nave been hars
and unbrotherly towards you, | ask tina
you will forget 1t. Come, let US be friend
once more"
Like an electric shock came this speec
upon the ears of John Sfearas. A momer
he stood half beHildered, aud then til
tears broke forthfrom his eyes. He reacl
ed forth his hand, but his words were br,
ken and indistinct. He had not expecte
this from his stern brother, but it can
like a heaven-sent beam Of light to b
soul, and in a moment more the brothe
were folded in a warm embrace. Wine
they were aroused it was by feeling a trer
bling hand laid upon their heads, and wht
they looked up they found their aged mot
err standing by them.
"BIess you, my children, bless you
murmured the white haired parent as 81
raised her eyes towards heaven. "and 0
l pray God that you may never be unha
Ply more"
John Stearns knew his mother had be,
the angel who had touched the heart of
brother, and it did not altar his forgi,
ness.
. "Oh," he murmured, "I have been We
wrong l have abused you, my brothe
but if you can forgive me, I will try
o make it all up"
"Your love will repay it all, John. I
! me have your love, and I will try never
lose it more"
> "Now | am truly happy said the az
. mother, as she gazed with pride upon b
sons. CHOW [ can die in peace. Oh, I
y boys, if you would have your children ST
- of happiness in after life, teach them IL
forgiveness will heal social wounds viii
4 can be healed in no other way. Man.
heart has been broken from the simple Wa
of that talismanic power"
Both those brothers tried to bless tn
" mother for the healthful lesson she /
n taught them, and they failed not to tea
~ it to their children as one of the best |
h sons that could be given them for life.