Dodgeville chronicle. [volume] (Dodgeville, Wis.) 1862-current, 1864-03-31

While under age, he owed submission !;
and however hard it was to yield under
his fathers cold and exacting discipline,
he felt himself bound to the general
law of obedience. But now he stood,
in thought, absolved from the require
ments of this law. He was man, and
answerable only to himself So he
thought, and he was in earnest. He
had been long enough wrenched and
beaten upon. That kind Of discipline
, must cease.
There was a race-course in the neigh
borhood, and purse was to be run for
on Johns birthday. Races were held
there three or four times in the year,
and John was often present on these oc-
casions, though at the risk Of punish
ment if the fact became known to his
father, whose Introduction was positive.
It was his intention to go on this
day openly. To so as man who had
right to determine his own actions
IF it made issue with his father, his IA
ther would have to give way. Parental
dictation was at an end.
Mr.. Malcom had left the breakfast
table, and was passing through the door,
when he heard his wife say, in tone of
surprised remonstrance--
ooh no, no, Johnl''
Yes, mother, I am goingl' was an
swered. 7 9
:'Going where ~ asked Mr.. Malcolm,
turning back. Z 19ii
No one answered. He looked at his
wife and he looked at John. Her face
was troubled, his resolved.
"Where are you going, sir?" de-
inanded the father, his brows gathering
sternly. ~ aa
''To the races" said the young man,
calmly. o
"What!" the frown deepened. The
voice was quick throb of anger.
II am going to the races"
"No, you are notI I lay my COM
mands on you!"
John had piece of thread in his
hand. He held it up towards his father
and snapped it in twain, saying
$50 shall break them. am Of age
to-day"
The blood went out of Mr.. Malcolm s
face; sudden weakness fell upon him !;
he caught at the back Of chair, and
stood with failing knees that pressed
against each other. Anger died within
him, giving place to fear that trenched
on despair. What hope for his son
now? His wilful, wayward, disobedient
son! His first born, who for twenty
one years had lain as heavy burden
on his heart. For whom he had wrest-
led with God in prayer SO many hun
dreds and hundreds Of times His first
born, now in the earliest flush of man
hood, casting off obedience, and entering
defantly the ways that take hold on death
and hell
ooh John, John" he said, with a
quiyer in his voice, looking with tender
reproach upon the young man, "that |
should have lived to see this day On
ly God knows all I have suffered for
you-all the care, and anxiety, and
dread, that have weighed down my soul
for these many, many years. | have
prayed that you might be shapen into a
goodly stone for His temple, and not
be cast out as brand for the burning
I have tried to do fathers duty. Per-
haps have erred. He knows. But I
meant right"
His voice fell to sob. His eyes were
wet. He stood, holding on to the chair,
trembling and weak. Almost for the
first time in his life he had spoken to
his son through tears-wi.h an appeal
instead Of a command.
The pieces of broken thread dropped
from Johns fingers. He rose to his feet,
and going to his father, caught his
hand and said, with gush of feel
ing
@Forgive mel was angry! But |
won't go!'
| Mr.. Malcom's face sunk down upon
his sons shoulder. Sobs shook bis
frame as if he were but child. He
was all broken up.
"If l have gained you, my son. he
said, after time, lifting his face that
seemed lighted with sunbeams, II shall
be the happiest man in all this region.
Oh, John! My boy! Ny child of a
thousand prayers! !"--still speaking thro'
tears, and therefore with irresistible
power-"Come and 90 with me! Let
us walk side by side in the narrow
way"
"Side by side, father, if you will" an
swered John, and now he spoke also
through tears. "But you must be pa
tient with me, and forbeariug."
II will be patient, john And Mr..
Malcolm caught both hands of his sons,
and held them tig ghtly. A great light
was flooding his mind. He was begin
ming to understand something Of the law
of loye-to comprehend its wonderful
power. EYES," he added, u will be