Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1861-09-06
A Touching Story.

/ face when she saw all that she said and
suffered failed TO move me She rose to
/ 20 home and followed at distance She
spoke no more 10 me till she reached her
4 own door.
"It is school time now" said she. Go
my son, and once more let me beseech you
to think upon what have said"
II shan't go to shool," said |.
She looked astonished at my boldnes, but
replied firmly
Certainly you viii go, Alfred; com
mand you"
81 will rot" said l, in a tone of def
ance.
One of two things you must do Alfred
either 90 to school this morning, or
will lock you in your room and keep you
there till you are ready TO promise implicit
obediance to my wishes in the future"
81 dare you TO do it; you can't get me
up stairs"
Alfred, choose now" said my mother,
who laid her hand upon my arm. She trem-
bled violently and was deadly pale.
If you touch me III kick you, said
in a terribls rage. God knows | knew not
what said
VIII you go, Alfred?"
mo" replied, but quailed beneath
her eye.
Then follow me- she said, as she grasp
ed my arm firmly.
] raised my foot--oh my son, here me =
| raised my foot and kicked henry saint
ed mother! How my head reels as the
torrent of memory rushes over me kick
ed my mother, feeble woman.-my mother !!
she staggered back few steps, and leaned
against The wall. She did not look at me
Il saw her heart beat against her breast.
sob! Heavenly Father, said she, for
give him-he knows not what he does
The Gardener just then passed the door,
and seeing my mother very pale and almost
unable to support herself, stopped. She
beckoned him in.
Take this boy up stairs and lock him in
his room,' said she, and turned from me.
Looking back as she was entering her room,
she gave me such look of agony mingled
with the most intense love!--it was the last
unuterable pang from heart that was now
broken.
In a moment found myself prisoner
in my own room. thought for a moment
that would fling myself from the open
window and dash my brains out, but fell
afraid to do it. l was not penitent. AT
times, my heart was subdued; but my stub
born pride rose in an instant and bade me
not yield. The pale face of my mother
haunted me. flung myself on the bed
and fell asleep. just at twilight heard Q
footstep approach the door. 1t was my
sister.
"What may l tell mother for you +? she
asked.
e Nothing ! replied.
90, Alfred for my sake, for all our sake:
say that you are sorry. She longs to forgive
you"
] would not answer. | heard her foot
steps slowly retreating, and again threw
myself on the bed to pass another wretchcd
and fearful night.
Another footstep slower and feebler than
my sisters disturbed me. A voice called
my name. 1t was my mothers.
" Alfred, my son, shall l come ?" she
asked. cannot tell what influence, oper-
ating at that moment, made me speek ad-
versely to my feelings. The gentle voice
Of my mother melted my obdurate heart
aud thrilled through me, and l longed to
throw myself on her neck, but l did not.
But my words said the lie to my heart
when said was not sorry, heard her
withdraw / heard her groan. | longed
TO call her back. But did not.
was awakened from my uneasy slum-
Der by hearing my name loudly called, and
my sister stood at my bedside.
" Get up, Alfred, don, wait a minute
Get up and come with me. Mother is dy-
ingi"
thought was yet dreaming, but got
up mechanically and followed my sister.
On the bed. and cold as marble lay my
mother. She was not undressed. She had
thrown herself on the bed to rest. arising
/ to 20 again to me. she was seized with pal
piiaiion Of the heart, and born senseless TO
her room.
1 cannot tell ycu with what agony l look