Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1863-02-09
Raleigh,


speechless agony, did that unhappy father
bend over the couch Of his dying son.
Oace, indeed, be thought he saw smile
of recognition light up his dying eye, and
he leaned eagerly forward, for he would
have given worlds to have whispered one
kind word in his ear, and have been an
swered bnt that CLEAN of apparent in
telligence passed quickly away, and was
succeeded 10y the cold, unmeaning glare,
and the wild tossing of the fevered limbs,
which lasted until death came to his relief.
Two days afterwards the undertakes
came with the little coffin, aud his SON, .
playmate of the deceased boy, bringing
the low stools on which it was TO stand
in the entry hall.
Il was with Henry said the lad, when
be got into the water. We were playing
down at the Long Wharf, Henry, and
Charles Munford and !; and the tile was
out very low and there was beam run
out from the wharf; and Charles got out
on it to get fish line and hook that was
hung over where the water was deep and
the first thing We saw, he had slipped
off, and was struggling in the water!-
Henry threw off his cap, and jumped clear
from the wharf into the water, and. after
great deal of hard work, got Charles
out; and they walled up through the
mud to where the wharf was not so wet
and slippery; and then helped them to
climb mp the side. Charles told Henry
Q not to say anything about it. for, if he
did, his father would never let him 90
near the water again. Henry was very
4 sorry and, all the way going home, he
' kept saying:
What will father say when he sees me
= to night! [ wish we had not gone to
;. the wharfw
Dear, brave boy" exclaimed the be-
a reaved father and this was the expla
= nation which cruelty refused to hear
a and hot and bitter tears rolled down hi,
cheeks
Yes, that stern father now learned, ane
!. for the first time, that what be had treat
RI ed with unwonted severity as fault, wa
but the impulse of generous nature
re- which, forgctful of self, had hazarded lif
is for another. 1t was but the quick prompt
ing of that manly spirit which he hmsel
If had always endeavored to graft upon hi
is susceptible mind, and which, young as b
ad was, had always manifested itself on NOR
ia than one occasion.
in Let me close this story 10 the yer
20 words of that father, and let the lesso
Sluk deep into the hearts of every pare,
who shall peruse this sketch. .
Il Everything that now see, that eve
belonged to him, reminds me of my 10
boy. Yesterday, l found some rude pc,
- Gil sketches which it was his delight |
a make for the amusement of his young,
or brother. To-day, in rumaging an old clio
Or ct, came across his boots, still covere
,or with dock mud, as when he last wo
them. (You may think it strange, b.
nd that which is usually so unsightly an OF
md ject, is now most precious to me- Al
d every morning aud evening | pass Il
fife ground where nv sons voice rang Il
nae merriest among his plavmates.
re. "All these things speak to me vivid
Of his active life; but L cannot-though
+ 70 have often tred-I cannot recall any OF
Nv er expression Of the dear boys face th
raw that mute, mourntul one with which
IS a turned from me on the night SO harsh
mes repulsed him. Then my heart blee
fec. afresh
"Oh, how careful should we all be th
,yes in our daily conduct toward those lit
;ood beings, sent us by kind Providence,
the are not LAYING up for ourselves the sour
of many future bitter tear How ca
ken thus that, neither by inconsidcrate nor CT
20 of el word or look, We unjustly grievc th
i Of generous feeling! Aud how gradus
an ought we to weigh every action against
and motive lest, in a moment of exciteme
seed we be led to mete out to the venial err
! he of the heart the punishment. due ONLY
fore wiIlful crimel
cot Alas perhaps few parents suspect |
olen often the fierce rebuke, the sudden bl
! il /. is answered in their children by the te
v not of passion, not of physical or mel
mess pain, but Of loving yet grieved or o
, the ragged nature
kino | will add no word to reflections so tr
r. he no correlative incident to an experienc
nish. touching.
ends
,orn. NORTH -CARoLINA BoNDs.-We learn
d re. the bids made tor the 100000 in S
i i