The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-08-29
Tbs storp Geusr.
THE
TIMELY WARN I'M g.

had made his last voyage, and rejoiced to
have reached haven Of rest from perils OF
the sea. During his absence | had grown
from child and baby Of my mothers-for
l was her youngcst-lnto rough, careless,
and hcadstrong boy. Her gentle voice no
longer restrained me. Twas often wiliul,
and sometimes disobcdient. l thought it in
dcatcd manly superiority to be independent
of woman's influence. My fathers return
was fortunate circumstance for me. lie
soon perceived the spirit of insubOrdination
stirring within me. | saw by his manner
it displeased him, although for a few days he
said nothing to me about it.
Ii was an afternoon in October, bright
and golden, that my father told me to get
nv hat and take walk with him. Wo
turned down narrow lane into fine open
feld-a hvorite playground for the children
in tho neighborhood. After talking cheer
fully on different topics for awhile, my father
asked me if observed that huge shadow
thrown by a mass Of rocks that stood in the
middle of the field. Ircplied that l did.
"My father owned this land" said he
at was my playground when boy. That
rock stood there then. To me il is beacon,
and whenever | look at it recall dark
spot in my life-an event so painful to dwell
upon, that il it were not as warning to
you should not speak of it. Listen, then,
my dear boy, and learn wisdom from your
fathers errors"
"My father died when was nero child.
was his only son. My mother was gentle,
loving woman, devoted to her children, and
beloved by everybody. lrcmcmber her pale,
beautiful face, her sweet, ailectionatc smile,
her kind and tender voice. In my child
hood loved her intensely. l was never
happy apart from her; and she, fearing |
was becoming too much Of baby sent mo
to the high school in the village. After as
sociating time with rude, rough boys,
| lost in measure, my fondness for homo
and my reverence for my mother; and it be-
came more and moro difficult for her to res
train my mbetuous nature. l Thought il IN
dicatcd want of manliness to yield TO her
authority or to appear pcnitent, although
knew my conduct pained her. The opithct
most dreaded was girl boy. could not
bear to hear it said by my companions that
was tied to my mothers apron strings
From quiet, hOme.loving child, soon bc-
came wild, boisterous boy. My dear moth
sr used every persuasion to induce me to
seek happiness within the precincts of home.
She cxerted herself to make our iiresidc at
tractive, and my sister, following hcr self
sacrificing example, sought to entice me by
planning games and diversions for my enter
tainment. saw all this, but did not heed
1t.
1t was ono afternoon like this, that | was
about leaving the dining table, to spend the
.intcrmissiOn between morning and evening
school in the streets as usual, my mother
laid her hand ON my shoulder, and said mild
ly but firmly, My son, wish you to come
with me-"
would have rebelled, but something in
her manner awed me, +" We will take little
walk together" followed her in silence
and as was passing out of tho door, | OBJ
served one Of my rude companions skulking
about the house, and knew hc was waiting
for mo. lie sneered us | went past him
My pride was wounded to the quick. lie
was very bad boy, but being some years
older than myself exercised powerful in
iluencc over mo. followed my mother, sui
kily, till l reached the spot where we now
stand, beneath the shadow Of this huge rock.
o. my boy could that hour be blotted from
my memory, which has cast shadow over
my whole life, gladly would l exchange all
that the world can offer me for tho quiet
- r ,,,n .,.,a. ,ho n,onnmon, os 20, ',,;,,
erpovcri |.
Nv mother, being in feeble health, sa,
down, and bCckoncd me to sit down beside
her. Her look 50 full of tender sorrow, is
present to me now. would not sit, but
continued standing sullcnly beside her.
"Alfrcd, my dear son, "said she, "hayc you