The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1862-08-29
BIDDEFoRD, MAINE, FRIDAY MORNING,

think upon what have said"
al shan't go to school. said l."
She looked astonishcd at my boldncss, but
replied firmly: "Ccrtainly you will so, Al
fred, command you"
81 will not" said, with tone Of de-
fance.
"One OF the two things you must do, Al
fred, either 60 to school this moment, or /
will lock you in your room, and keep you
there until you're ready to promise implicit
obedience to my wishes in tho future
81 dare you to do it," said l, you can't
get me up stairs"
"Alfred, choose now," said my mother,
and she laid her hand on my arm. She
trcmblcd violently and was deadly pale.
"If you touch me will kick you," said |
in terrible rage. God knows | knew what
| said.
"will you go, Alfrcd?"
"No," replied, but quailed before her
eyes.
"Thcn follow me" said she as she grasped
my arm firmly. | raised my foot-O, my
son. hear mc-I raised my foot and kicked
hcr-my sainted mother How my head
reels. as the torrent Of memory rushes over
me! kicked my mothcr-a feeble woman
my mother! She staggered back few
steps and leaned against the wall. She did
not look at me. saw her heart beat against
her breast. 30, Heavenly father" she
cried, "forgivo him, ho knows not what hc
dOcs!" The gardener just then passed the
door, and seeing my mother pale, and almost
unable to support herself, hc stopped; she
beckoned him IN. "Takc this boy up stairs
and lock him in his own room," said she,
and turned from inc. Looking back, as she
was entering her room, she gave INC such u
look-it will forever follow me. 1t was a
look of agony, mingled with the intcnscst
loye-it was the last unuttcrable pang Of a
heart that was broken.
In moment ! found myself prisoner in
my own room. thought for moment
could fling myself from tho window and dash
my brains out, but | felt afraid to die. l
was not pcnitont. AT times my heart was
subducd, but my stubborn pride roso in an
instant and babe me not to yield. The pale
faco of my mother haunted mo. flung
myself on tho bed, and fell asleep. woke
at midnight stiilencd by the damp night air.
terrified with frightiul dreams.
Iwould have sought my mother at that
moment, for | tremblcd with fear, but my
door was fast. With tho daylight my ter
rors were dismissed, and l became bold in re-
sisting all good impulses. The servant
brought my meals, but did not taste them.
| thought the day would never end. Just at
twilight heard light foot-stcp approach
my door. It was my sister, who called me
by namo.
"what may tell mother from you?" she
asked.
Nothing"
80, Alfred, for my sake, for oil our sakcs,
say that you are sorry. she longs to forgive
you"
al wont be driven to school against my
will," l said.
"But you will go If sho wishes it, dear
Alfred" said my sister, plcadinsly.
"No, WON'T" said |, and you needn't
say word more about it,"
40, brother, you will kill her, and then
you can never have happy moment"
/ made no reply to this. My feelings
were touched. but still resisted their inau-
enco. My sister called me. but would not
answer. I heard her footsteps slowly re-
treating, and again l flung myself on the
bed to pass another wrctched and fearful
night. o, God, how wretched and fearful
did not know.
Another footstep, slower and fceblcr than
my sisters disturbed me. Ayoice called me
by namo. 1t was my mothers.
"Alfrod, my son, shall come in? are you
sorry for what you have done'"
cannot tell what influence, operating at
that moment, made me speak adverse to my
feelings. The gentle voice of my mother
that thrilled through me, melted the icc
from my obduratc heart, and l longcd to
throw myself on her neck, but did not
No, my BOY, l did not. But my words gave
the lio to my heart, when said was not
sorry. heard her withdraw. heard her
groan. longcd to call Der back, but did
not.
was wakcncd from an uneasy slumber by
hearing my namo called loudly, and my sis
ter stood beside my bed.
sect up Alfred o, don't wait moment!
Get up and come with me. Mother is dy-
ing!"
l thought was dreaming, but got up
mechanically and followed my sister. On
the bed, lay my mother She had not un-
dressed, but had thrown herself on the bed
to rest. Arising again to so to me, she was
seized with palpitation Of the heart, and
borne senselcss to her room.
cannot tell you my agony as I looked
upon her-my rcmorsc was tenfold moro Bit
ter from the fact that she would never know