Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1859-06-30
Lost Tommy.


the weak affection of parents, and brothers
and sisters.
ANY sffection is weak that INDUCES q
child in what is not good snd proper for
him or her, simply because it is demanded
or coaxed for by the child. Tommy was
always allowed to have his way; hence he
grew to be will.ul lad, and, naturally
enough, he was ever griev;ng his parents.--
He became entirely selfish, dsregarding
their wishes when they crossed his own
Untdy in his person, he was ever pain ing
them by coming to the table with foul hands
and uncombed haiF--a disgust TO all around
him. Do not think these are slight failings,
they are inexcusable--they are abomina.
tions, that none but selfish and disobedient
children ill be guilty of-and make US feel
that selfshness is objectionable sel6shness
Tommy was marauder a. home in pantry
and drawer as he would; and the pest Of
the village around. He was willing to tor
ment any thing, from the quiet cows to the
gentle birds and rabbits, and all such things.
You may know that he would not relish the
restraints Of school Otter he pretended 10
have headache, to stay at home, and often
be played truant outright, and no body knew
where he went. HIS parents saw their
error, but too late. They began to reprove
him harshly, for he was SO bad, their love
was growing cold. 1t is dreadful when a
parent feels in the heart keen sense of
the un loveliness of his own child. This
reproving only exasperated Tommy, for
having never been taught wholesome re-
straint to his will when it was as ye! with
out strength, few angry words, or, speak
ing after the manner of men, a few or many
seedlings, would not do the work. If Tommy
he'd no mot i've but to escape these, for diff
ferent conduct, OF course he would not re-
ally change. Alas! Tommy, the time must
come, sooner or later. when you shall be
convinced of the evil of your ways! The
time was nearer than any body thought.
In one of his Iruant excursions he went
awav through the woods. where once in a
while the songs of the innocent birds would
touch his hard. disobedent heart, and make
him wish, for q minute, that he was better
bov; vet he shook off the feeling easily, and
rambled on till he came 10 rough ledge of
rock; indeed, it vas precipice, and at its
bottom was dark cavern. He had heard
much of this cave from the story-teller of
the village store-that burglars, counter
feiters, or both, had secreted themselves
there during pursuit, etc. As he crept to
the edge of the rocks and lay looking over
something startled him very suddenly, and
losing his balance, he pitched to the bottom
1t was like miracle that ne was not killed
instantly. but he so fell that he hit the onlv
grassy spot that would have held him. AS
soon as he came TO himself, he SOW that he
was on little bank, at the very mouth of
the cave; and he was obliged to use the
utmost caution, and steady himself with his
hands. for dark waters dashed in an out of
the opening.
Tommy's hair almost stood on end with
fright o, how he screamed for help! 1t
was in the afternoon, and no one missed
him, for he had beer sent TO school. and he
knew not any body would think of looking
for him. o, how he repented of his dis
obedience, which lad brough: him to his
death, as he was sure. And he thought
over all his wickedness; and he trembled
to think of dying SO. There he sat.clingi 1g
to the little bit of bank-and the waters
splashed so lonely and so mournfully; and
the great wild birds tapped their wings deep
in the darkness of the cavern, which made
him cry out at the dreadful sound. Then
the night came on. and Tommy knew that
he couldn't live there through a night
Then he groaneC out
"If had been an obedient boy, I should
now be sitting in my comfortable home, or
sleeping in my nice, dear bed!''
Then he would scream again; but this
only made the fierce birds hoot and scre am
also, which made him shudder with fear
He began to be 60 weary, as well as hungry,
that he felt faint, and thought he should
drop::off the bank into the water shat dash
ed below him.
60, father. o, moth er! O, God! forgive
all my wickedness," he shrieked out, for his
strength was almost gone.
o, joy. there is little glinmer of light
overhe ad! yes, they have missed the unde-
serving boy, and many neighbors are out
with the parents, earring lanterns and shout
ing his name He feels new strength to
snswer them; and they hear and see him.
Bad as he is, no one will let him die, though
he feels that he does not deserve the help
of one who is up there. Those few hours
that he had been in that fearful place, like
place of death, have seemed like life
time to him. The persons above encour-
age him; they tell him a rope will soon be
let down, and he must grasp it, and use al!
strength courageously TO ho!C on, and few
minutes will find him safe.
There it comes-a stout rope, with a
strong moose. 1t is almost to his hand, and
the blessed moon, which has so often been
forced to look upon his naughtiness, shines
out just then; and ne can see where to brace
his foot and grasp the rope.
Tommy Beely was a changed boy from
that night do not mean that he ceased
the very next day from all his evil ways. but
wheE he was tempted TO do wrong, that
night of horror came to his mind, and with
it the penitent thoughts which he had while
he lay in such terror; ard he would stop and
think; and his after life proved that he was
truly repentant.
0TThere is small division in the Dem
ocratic party OF Wisconsin, caused by pref
rsn.