Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1858-07-16

bright, hopeful young man Of tlr early. .evon-
ing His chestnut hair hung in damp heavy
slips over his pale forehead, aud a sickly
smile strovc in vain to give a cheerful express
sion to his haggard features A groan that
would not be repressed burst from his moth
or's lips Alice started as IL she had secn
an appariton, and ghdcd from the room.
"Why. why, what's the trouble here ?"
said he $50 the news has preceded mo, has
it, mother"
"What news, my son | have heard none;
what has happened? You appear excited.
He buried his face in his hands, and sob
bed audibly. "Tcll me. Herbert, what has
happened said Mrs. Woyhington, in low,
sad tones, ''tcll me ol-sofnething dreadful
must have occurred"
"Yes. yes and you will despiso me now
you will disown me, know and deserve
to bo cast off; have brought still greater
dishonor upon my fathers name have only
come to ask your forgiveness, and then YOU
shall not be troubled with me mgro-I could
not 90 without that, mother Will yotsgrant
it; tbs all--it is the last favor:l shall ever
beg" and he threw himself at her feet m an
agony of grief"
"Be calm, Herbert" replied his mother,
though her voice betrayed her own agitation
Let me know what terrible crime you have
committed Surely. YOU have my forgiveness.
vet not of me should YOU alone ask pardon,
there is One higher than ] whose mercy you
need"
"Do not speak so, mother r' he cried, land
do not look so upon mo, or | shall not be able
to tell you how have sinncd."
"sit here, aud lean your head upon my lap,
and will not look upon YOU then" said Mrs.
Worthinrtop. movinr footstool towards her.
Herbert did as she desired. and beran his
confession. IL went as YOU requested, to
Mrs Morton's and really intended to remain
through the evening The rooms were crowd
ed and hot. | did not discover Alice at first,
and when did she was chatting mcrrily with
her fiends-no one had spoken to me O,
she looked so beautiful felt very proud of
her; lust then. Lizzie Morton passed. and
pointino Grst at me and then at her. whisper
ed TO her companion. loud enough for me to
hear. What a contrastr know ! was very
foolish to notice the remark. | know did
wrong to let my temper rise at such little
.hinr. but uttered a dreadful word, deter
mined never to visit there again. meant to
come directly home. state my grievances to
YOU and write my letters O. if had -
/ But lust as | came ont, met Thompson and
Reed, and they wanted mo to 90 and see their
new cub-room Then we had a game of
whist and then-then. O, mother--to think
/ should do the very thing have so rcpentcd
of before"
lie trembe conyulsively, and for an instant
strovo in vain for utterance. His mothers
hand was laid carossingly upon his head and
he proceeded. There was draft to be en-
closed in one of those letters that should
have been cared for first, but, thoughtlessly,
I left it till the last this had in my pocket
book with the letter to be copied After all
my own money was gone. ! grew desperate,
/ and-and-let me whisper this, mother
bend down vour head-nearer-"
so, Hcrbeftr - said the agonizcd mother,
"mv son. my son !"
LET me 90 now" said tho boy, sobbng
violently. "Only first | must leave note
for my EMPLOYERS, and for my iather-I dare
not see him: | fear it will kill him. BIT.
mother. NV resolution is taken, and II shall
not break this, for | have asked help to keep
it,. added he solemnly Guilty as | am, |
dared not. I could not make this confession
without that helm" Tears. the first his moth
Ter had she'd fell like rain at these words. 81
am going far away where | shall not be
known. and | shall work-no labor will be
too hard for me--until / have earned suffi-
cient to refund this money. | am going to
write that in the note to my employers and.
u rlars II hardly dare think of that, though. !
after great many wears | can be your own
son apain. shall not forget YOU. mother.
nor ali vour kindness to me. 1t is better for
mo to 90 away. wish had gone before
this bappened it is so hard for me to resist
t,mptation. and meet with so many difficult
ties in doing right"
"You cannot fy from temptation, my SON
There are evil and onticements to wrong doing
in every nlace and Won must have more
frmnoss. and be more watchful."
81 know | cannot keen nv resolution if |
STAY. and then the penalty of this crime to
bear. too could suffer the Imprisonment,
which | suppose is the punishment. but the
modification which it will bring you, the dis
grace | have brought upon the whole family,
neper can endure IL here. will write these
notes. and before daylight leave the home
which have so dearly loved--forerer p
With a calm mion ne took from the cabinet
materials for writing, and commenced his sad
task. His mother, overcome with grief,
sought her chamber. There, in silent com
munion with Him whose ear is ever omen TO
.--.-.L 80.