The Jeffersonian Democrat. [volume] (Chardon, Ohio) 1854-1865, 1860-09-14
A Touching Story.

Tho following affective narrative purports
TO have been given by father to his son. as
a warning derived from his own bitter ex
porionce OF grieving and resisting mother s
love and counsel:
What agony was visible on my mother q
face, when she saw that all she said and
suffered failed to move me! She rose TO go
homo and, / followed at distance. She
spoke no more to me ill she reached her
own door.
1T is school time now," said she. "Go.
my son, and once more lot mo besuoch you
to think upon what | have said"
Il shan: go to school" said I.
She looked astonished at NY boldness, but
replied firmly
"Cer,ainly you will go, Alfrod,I command
you."
II will not" said in q tonc of defiance.
Ono of two things you must do, Alfred
either go to school this morning, or will
lock you in your room, and keep YOU there
sill you are ready to promise implicit obo-
dionce in tho future"
Il dare you to do il; you can't get mo up
stairs"
"Alfrod. choose now" said nv mother.
who laid hcr hand upon my arm. Sho
trembled violently and vas deadly pale.
"lf you touch me will kick you," said
in a terrible rage. God knows knew not
what I said.
"Will you 90. Alfred -
"No," replied. but quailcd beneath hor
eye.
"Then follow me" said she, as she grasped
my arm firmly.
raised my foot-oh. my son, hear mel
| raised my foot and kicked her--my sainted
mother How my head reels as the torrent
of memory rushes over me | kicked my
mother, a feeble woman--my mother =
She staggered back a few stops, aud leaned
against tho wall. She did not look at mo
saw her heart beat against her breast.
oh! Heavenly Father" said she. "for-
give him. he knows not what he docs T.
The gardener just then passed the door
and seeing my mothor pale, and almost un,
ablo TO support herself, he stopped. She
beckoned him in
Take this hoy up stairs, and lock him in
his room" said She and turned from me -
| Looking back as she was entering her room
she gave such look Of agony, mingled with
the most intense love lit was the last un
utterablo pang from hoart that was bro.
ken.
In moment found myself prisoner
in my own room. thought for moment
would f1ng myself fl om the open window
and dash my brains out but felt afraid to
do it, was not penitent. At times my
heart was subduod but my stubborn prid,
rose in an instant, and babe me not yield
The palo face of my mother haunted me-
/ flung myself in bed and fell asleep. JUS
at twilight heard tootstep approach the
door. II was my sister
"Whst may tell my mother for you -
she asked.
Nothing" replied.
ooh, Alfred for my sake, for all oul
sakes, say that you arc sorry. She longs to
forgive you"
would not answer. heard her foot
steps slowly retreatiug, and again thre "
myself on tho bed. to pass another wr0tched
and fearful night.
Another footstep slower and foebler thar
my sisters disturbed me. A voice called
mo by name;i it was my mothers.
"Alfred my son. shall como = sho asked
/ cannot tell what influence, operating al
that moment, made me speak averso 10 my
feelings. Tho gentle voice of my mother
thrilled through me, and melted the ice OF
my obdurate heart, and longed to throw
myself on her mock, but did not. But my
words gave tho lie to my heart when sai(
l was not sorry. l heard her withdraw.
heard her groau longed to call her back
But did not.
was awakened from my uneasy slum5e
by hearing my name called loudly, and IN,
sister stood at my bedside,
Got up, Alfred. Oh, don't wait ,
minute Got up, and come with me-
Mother is dying"
thought was vet dreaming. but go
mp melancholy and followed nv sistor Or
the bed, and cold as marble,la my mother
She was not undressed. Sho had thrown
herself on the bed TO rest; arising to 60
again 10 me, she was seized with a palpita
ton of the hoart, and borne senseloss to hel
room.
Ioannot tell you with what agony
looked upon her my remorso was ten.folc
moro bitter from tho thought that she
would never know il. beloved myself t.
be her murderer. I foil on the Oed LoOid'
bor. could not weep. My hoart burnoC
in my bosom; my brain was on fire. Ny
sister threw her arms around me- and wep
in silence. Suddenly We saw O light mo
ton of mothers hand; her eyes unclosed
She had recovered consciousness, but no
speech. She looked at me and moved he
lips. ] could not understand her words. =
"Mother. mother !" shrieked, "say, onl
say that you forgive mo-" She could no
say it with her lips, but her hand presso
miDe, She smiled upon me, and lifting he
thin white hands,sh clasped my own within
them. and cast her ewes upward. Sh