The Portage County Democrat. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1854-1868, 1859-10-19

Show me how a young man spends his
money said wise and good merchant, and
will tell you at once his future prospects,
There is much truth in this /; and an incl
dent of real life is now present in my memory
which may help point the moral therein
contained
Oliver Hudson and Albert Ryder were of
the same age both were reared in the same
town they had equal advantages in all social
and moral points ; and the most acute observer
of human nature could not have told which
had the hest mind. They were as near alike
as two youths could be and even their pa
rents occupied social and pecuniary positions
of the same degree. They were good honest
boys and generally respected and beloved. -
At the age of fifteen, these two boys came
to the great city. Their parents had obtained
good places for them, and bright hopes lighted
/ up their paths. Oliver Hudson was placed in
the store of merchant named Elisha Rush
/ ton, and Albert Ryder took a position exactly
corresponding in the store of Hugh Buxton.
i
orabIe men and both engaged in the same
kind of business.
A year passed away, and at the end of that
time the two boys had become pretty thor
oughly acquainted with city life and city man.
ners and both had formed habit of spend
ing their evenings either in the streets, or at
some place of amusement. Their companions
did SO, and they followed the example.
i x One evening, they were both present at a
party given by friend and they both par.
took rather freely Of wine. On the following
morning Oliver Hudson awoke with severe
Ehead ache, and with wobegone feeling per-
vading his whole frame. 1t was his first de-
bauch. He had frequently taken glass of
wine before, and thonght it no harm |; though
he knew that his mother would be very IN.
happy were she to know it.
On the present OCCASION, Oliver felt badly.
The idea that he had committed henious
he had done wrong. 1t was the first touch Of
the barbed point to his soul. InBocent 10 in.
tent the result of bis sin was heavy upon him.
l s. Z r
Could he have continued on in the same
have been so deep-the next lighter still
until, by and by. familiarity with the feeling
would have blunted it to the soul, and it could
be laughed off over glass of plain Soda i,
? But this was the first fall. and the youth
, was startled The events Of tha previous
night were dim and indistinct in his memory
after ten o'clock. He had been intoxicated
: He had been in social companionship with
those who we're not good men. He bowed
, his head and thought of his mother.
Angelic presence God surely sent thee
. in this all important hour s ..--.s
g There came tap upon bis door, and the
9 servant handed in letter. It was from bis
t mother 1t contained twenty dollars in bank.
notes, with her good counsel and love. She
a wrote him all the news, and finally closed her
K letter thus
T And now my own dear boy, suffer me to
. speak with you once more as of old. Do NOT
I. think for one moment that I have any fears
" o, no. Were there no other inducements to
., lead you'in the right path, know your love
IF for your mother would guide you Alright. And
y yet cannot help praying for you continually
Il Every night 1 am upon my knees asking Goo
to bless and guide you.@When you hear the
=, clock strike nine in the evening, You may fee
. that you can join your prayers with mine. fo
st then am praying for my 6rst born-my vel
o. beloved son. Remember your mother, ant
e, you cannot go astray. Oh l You will net al
C. low another to ,lsurp my place in your cunfi
le dence. You will not forget the promise yor
+; gave me wheu you were pure and yirtuous.-
in That promise, we'll kept, must ever keep yol
as you we're then. E &c
IN Il send you O small sum of money, becaus
,h I know your pay is not sufficient to supply yo'
b. with many superhuities., This will purcbas
IS books. so that your evenings may be proftabl
BY spent. l know thatfrny son will make a GOO
use of his mothers token of undying love-
,ss Be sure that your books are of true. mani
no character !; and combine sound intellect wit
an pleasure in your matter for reading. I kno,
that in the daytime your business keeps you
mind occupied. 1t is that your evenings ma
be morally and proftably spent that youl
81 mother most earnestly prays.'
~ The angel came at the right moment. Ol
yer read these two paragraphs over secon
to time, and then fell to weeping. He knew tbs
'er he was to his mother as the apple of her ey
ol AS the very joy-fount of her soul Had b
rn dome 40 h. ,,rsn,;end her he vonld do 7sHsJa
ro he done as his own good sense told him
elt should have done ? No. He knew that be
'e: yond the bound Of right the single step
'u- wrong. He folded the letter carefully up an
Ire put it away, and then pressed bis hands upo
art his brow. He stood so few moments, an
md finally he turned his eyes home ward
MOTHER he said. in a deep, heart-ser