Smyrna times., 1859-03-03
MISCELLAN n T. D U 5
Written for the Smyrna Times.
mFINIS HE'D"

saw lad start 10 college. He was dear
and valued friend of mine, schoolbey friend,
one of those warm-hearied, impulsive fellows,
who instantly win the esteem Of all who are
brought into contact with them. The only son
of dUtlng parents, he was Id0lized, and almost
wOrshpped, and many were the tears that were
shed on the day of his departure. But it was
positively necessary to send him off to finish
bis education-iL would never do to have him
educated in the village schools-and so he left
bis weeping friends to drag the time away as
best they could ill his return.
Days passed, long, sad, weary days; and
weeks and months of sadness came and went.
Every week, letter came TO tell OF the brilliant
prospects of the student. His mother wePt
tears of Joy at the thought Of her chld's sue
cesses, and looked forward with g lad delight to
the time of his return. Regularly did | read
aud re-read his weekly communications, 80
fraught with hope, and promise, and bright an
telp4t,ons of the future, and my own anxiety
for his cAtion visit was only exceeded by that
Of his dear and devoted parents.
Well, the long looked for time a length ar
rived. He came, spent a few days with the
loved ones at home, and, then, away to college
again, witha light heart, he hurried. His tor
mer warmth of affection vas changed tor an
easy sort of poiteness and atiabilty that did
not quite satisfy his anxious mother; but she
cOHsOled herself with the thought that he was
only getting ".fnished," and that all would
come out right in the end. The father also re-
marked the change, and felt that something was
not exactly right. But, what could he dc =
His boy must have an education, and iFat was
the end of it. So, he furnished the necessary
funds, at the commencement of each term, and
felt that his duty was discharged.
Time passed, and, in few weeks, Frank''
letters began to fail. Instead OF weekly, they
became monthly, and, after a while, ceased al
most entirely. What could it mean! ten
der mothers anxious solicitude could not beaI
the suspense. She wroie to the president o
the college, and received, for reply, that he
son was doing we'll that he was rapidly mas
Iering and overcoming the difficulties and ab
tain no fears concerning his future welfare, a
his fame was already made quite certaln.-
FIattered and encouraged by this letter fror
the presiding officer of The college, she CAV
herself no more trouble, but very naturall
concluded that her boy was too much occupe
with his studies to spare the time necessary it
writing. And this suPpositon was soon col
frmed by letter from Frank to his father, asl
ing for an additional remittance of few do
lars, to pay for several new studies which
was about commencing. Full of bright al
golden dreams, the father hastened to forwa
the desired fInds, and so rejolced was he at d
rapid adya ncement of his darling child, that
not only rsmitted the full amount asked for, b
actually doubled it, and was glad Of such
opportunity to manifest his anxiety for his Sol
Improvement and welfare.
Aneiher term expired, and, with true matt
nal tenderness and solicitude, the mother aws
ed the return of her boy. Bot, 10 his ste
came a letter, stating his intention to spend
VACATION with some of his young friends in
CITY. This was a severe stroke, but it v
natural ior aim to desireto Pass the time arnc
persons Of his own sge, aud so she resigned
self to the necessity, feeling that perhap'
would be TO: the best. He was fast approa
ing the age Of manhood, and ii was necess
lfor him to. become. acquainted with the wo
Thus she reasoned, aud her reasonings en-
in a glerions picture of bel. sons prosper
and dis,IneiiOn ard fame. She brushed as
hlFh bgasea a. faaaa a., ,atsE t1s