Sioux City register. [volume] (Sioux City, Iowa) 1858-1871, 1864-08-06

before the period Of which We are now
writing. Charles, who still retained 4
vivid recollection Of the mother, knew of
this warm attachment, and the knowledge
Of it had always served to draw him, With
something like affection, toward Mrs. Ell.
der. He loved her with . kind of filial
love; for he always seemed nearer to the
sainied ono when BY her side. Now this
light speech Of bic young friend, instead
Of producing the effect designed. wrought
only in the opposite direction. Charles
felt shocked At hearing the name Of Mrs.
Elder spoken 80 irreveren.ly-and more
particularly 50 At this time, when she, Of
oil tho whole circle. was nearly the only
ono who s.ill ofeted him her hand or spoke
to him 10 the tones Of kindness and vel.
come.
II sball keep my promise to Mira El-
DER" he answered, firmly.
"No! You're not such fool - that" !"
said the other, coarsely.
"Yes, just such . fool, If you WILL" re.
piled Charles. My word is passed to
Mrs. Elder, and shall not be broken
"Thank God!" said Charles, ~ he
walked away, and the recollection of two
or three evenings. like the one in view,
came vividly to his mi1d-" thank God
that I had sufficient resolution to say no
do not think the way just safe for my
feet. More than once, already, have
slipped in this way-slipped and fallen
into the mire."
And he drew adeep breath, With sense
o.. relief.
"Ah! Charles, it is pleasant to sec you
here again. said Mrs. Elder, with the
blandes. Of welcome smiles, as she took
the young mans hand that evening"
"Your mothers's son must not desert an
old friend. How have you been during
these many days."
about - we'll As usual" replied
Charles. But Mrs. Elder, whose eyes
were reading every line Of his face, missed
something from bis coontenauce; and she
also missed something from his voice.
"A' happy as usual?' asked she.
The question, altogether unexpected,
made Charles drop bis eyes to the floor
Looking up in q moment, be answered:
"No not so happy as I have been. Is
it different With any, Mrs. Elder! Do We
grow sadder as we grow older7"
mot if We grow wiser and better she
replied.
He looked drwn to the foor agaid, but
made no replp
"At your age Charles" said Mrs Elder.
"when the feelings are warm, tho appe
tie keen to relish every indulgence, and
reason not Grmly seated on his throne,
there are te~ who do not fall into some
excess. But it is law Of our being, that
excesses Of any kind bring punishment
with them. They always leave the mind
oppressed with sense of wrong doing,
and o consciousness that something Of
true manhood has departed. How Is It in
your experieucs' Are my words .rue,'
An involuntary sigh parted the lips Of
Charles. ~ he answered.
"They are true, Mrs. Elder-true in my
case Ispeak it with shame" The young
mao lost his calm self possession, and
showed considerable agitation.
"Isisn surprising then, Charle., that
you grow s.dder as you grow older" said
Mrs. Elder, speaking even with tenderer
interest than before. "Your experience
Is that every young man who has gone
ons step = way from the right path. The
evil that eu,ices, with ito offer of wild
pleasures in the pain Of self consciousness
after the brief excitsmens 10 over" The
face Of Charles Vas very sober. True
words were teaching him with convictions.
A. saw in the sight Of another mind that
vac helping him to clearer vision. Vice
looked more hideous in his eyes and more
to b dreaded, than it had ever done and
virtue moro bssusiful and moro to be d.
sired.
"Supposs you we're on . journey" said
Mrs. Elder, and were to miss Jour way
and get into . road that sssmed q FIRST
parallel With the right one, but gradually
turned until il ran in tho opposite direc'
,ion-when would the return be the eas.
isst7 After tho 6rst few steps has been
taken or after you had moved onward for
great while in The wrong direction :"
Easiest afler the 6rst few steps ol
course" replied tho youug man.
1T il just 20 in tho journey Of lie,
Charles said Nrs. Elder, with Impressive
saroes.nsas. The lopsee your feet abide
in tho wrong vsy, tho harder will il b to
sststa. The 6sss iev steps NAY sasily b
....aesa b. Y Jon - one. Involved is
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