The Shasta courier., 1864-05-07
THE MOTHER AND HER SON.
A Touching Story.

been given by father to his son, as asswarn.
ing derived from his own bitter experience
of the sin of grieving and resisting moth
er's love and counsel 1t is new to,ns, though
it may not be TO all our readers: but its
teaching are so excellent as to make it worthy
OF frequent publication and perusal;
What agony was visible on my mothers
face when she saw that all she said and suf-
fered failed to move me. She rose to go
home, and ! followed at distance. She
spoke no more to till she reached
her own door,
1t is school time now..s said she. g Go.
my sen. and once plore let me beseech you
to think upon what have said.''
:. shan't go to school," said l.
She looked astonished at my holiness, but
then replied firmly.
"Certainly you will, Alfred / command
vou.'
Il will mott" said I +; you can't get tme up
stairs"
lone of two things You must do, Alfred
either go to school this moment, or l will
lock you in your room and keep you there till
You are ready to promise implicit obedience
to my wishes in future"
Il dare you tt do it," said I ''you can't
get me up stairs
g Alfred, choose now." said my mother,
who laid her hand upon my arm. She trem-
bled violently, and was deadly pale.
IF you touch me will kick yon," said
in terrible rage. God knows | knew not
what | said
Will you go. Alfredo
No:' l replied. but quailed beneath her
eye.
Then follow me" said she, az she grasp
ed my arm firmly. raised my foot-oh. my
son hear me II raised my foot and kicked
her-my sainted mother How my head
reels. as the torment of memory rushes over
me! kicked my mother-a feeble woman
my motherl She staggered back few
steps and leaned against the wall. She did
not look at me. | saw her heart beat against
her breast. sob heavenly Father ~ she
cried, forgive him-he knows not what he
does - The gardener just then passed the
door, and seeing my mother pale and al
most unable to support herself, she beckoned
him in
. Take this boy up stairs and lock him in
his own room," said she, and turned from
me. 1t was look of agony, Mingled with
the intensest love-it was the last unuttera
bic pang from heart that was broken.
In moment found myself prisoner in
my own room. | thought for moment
would fling myself from the open window.
and dash my brains out, bnt felt afrid to
die. | was not penitent. At times my heart
was subdued, but my stubborn pride rose in
an instant, and bade me not Weld. The pale
face of my mother haunted me. | flung my
self on the bed. and fell asleep. just at twi-
light heard 4 footstep approach the door.
1t was my sister.
"What may tell mother from you ~ she
Nothing" l replied.
'Oh, Alfred for my sake. for all our
sakes. say that you are sorry-let me tell
mother that you are sorry. Shelongs to for
Civ. YOU"
would not answer. heard her footsteps
slowly retreating, and again flung myself
on the bed to pass d wretched and fearful
night.
Another footstep, slower and feebler than
my sisters. disturbed me-
Alfred. my son, shall come in ?' Are
you sorry for what you have done?" she ask
ed.
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 ice from
my heart, and longed to throw myself on
her neck but did not. My words gave the
lie to my heart, when said was not sorry
| heard her withdraw. heard her groan.
longed to call her back, but Ibid not.
/ was awakened from my uneasy slumber,
by hearing my name called loudly, and my
sister stood by my bedside.
Get up, Alfred. Oh, don't wait min,
ute! Get up, and come with me. Mother
is dyng,'
| thought was yet dreaming, but got up
melancholy and followed my sister. On the
bed, pale and cold as marble, lay my mother.
She had not undressed. She had thrown her.
self on the bed to rest and arising to 60
again to me, she was seized with palplta-
ton of the heart, and borne senseless to her
room
cannot tell you my agony as l looked
upon her-my remorse was tenfold more bit
ter from the thought that she would never
know it. | believed myself TO be her mur-
derer | fell on the bed beside her. could
not weep. My heart burned in my bosom
my brain was all on fire. My sister threw
her arms around me. and wept in silence.
Suddenly we saw a slight motion OF mothers
hand-her eyes unclosed She had recover
consciousness. but not speech. She looked
at me and moved her lips. | could not un-
derstand her words. Mother. mother!' |
shrieked. 'say only that you forgive me"
She could not say it with her lips, but her
hand pressed mine. She smiled upon me,
and lifted her thin, white hands, she clasped
my own within them, and east her eyes up
ward She moved her lips in prayer. and
thus she died / remained still kneeling be.
side that dear form, till my gentle sister re-
moved me. The joy of youth had left me
forever.
Boys, who spurn q mothers control. who
are ashamed to own that they are wrong who
think it manly to resist her authority, or Weld
to her influence. be,care' Lay not up for
yourselves bitter memories for your future
years.
REMARKARLE.-TheM Mississippi river about
the mouth of the Missouri averages 3. 600 feet
in width. From there TO the mouth of the
Ohio it averages 3 200 feet from the Ohio
to the Arkansas to the Red river about 2. 100
feet and from the Red river to the Gulf of