The Portland daily press., 1865-03-22
MISCELLANY.
AStory for Boys.

Inc 10 lowing affecting narrative, Whicn
we md in an exchange, purports to have been
given by father to his son, as warning de-
rived from his own bitter experience Of the
sin OF grieving and resisting mothers love
and counsel. 1t Is new to us, though lbmay
not be to all our readers; but its teachings
are SO excellent as to make II worthy Of fire.
quent publication and perusal: g
What agony was visible on my mothers
face when, she saw that all she said and suffer
ed failed to move mel She rose to 90 home.
and followed at a distance. She spoke
no more to me till she reached her OWL
door.
II is school time now said she. Go my
son, and once more let me beseech you W
think uponwhat have said
shan't go to school, said J.
She looked astonishsd at my Doiuless' Dut
then replied firmly:
Certainly you viii, Alfred. command
you.'
stairs 49,,
Their oo to school this moment, or will lock
Won IN your room and keep you there till you
are ready to promise implicit obedience to my
wishes in future .l7i 5u.--f- gao
: 4 dare you 10 do it, said I; "you can't get
me up stairs ~----.--...-
Alfred, choose now, said my mother, who
laid her hand upon my arm. She trembled vi
olenfly, and was deadly pale.
If you touch me will kick you,' said in
terrible rage. God knows knew not what
said
win you go, Alfred p
MOP l replied, but quailed beneath her
eye.
Then follow me- said she, as she grasped
my arm firmly. ~
raised my foot-oh, my son, hear me II
biz i
motheri How my head reels. as the torment
of memory PUSHES over me! l kicked my
'mother--a feeble Noman-my mother! She
staggered back lew steps and leaned against
the wall. She did not lot k atine. saw her
heart beat against her breast. sOh heavenly
Father, she cried, forgive him--he knows
not what he doesp The gardener just then
passed the door, and seeing my mother pale
and almost unable to support herself, stopped
and she beckoned him in. r,,s Is !.
lake this boy up stairs aud lock him in his
own4room, said she, and turned from me- 1t
was q look Of agony mingled with The ibtens-
est love-it was the last unut.erabie panr
from heart that was broken.
In moment l found myself a prisoner in
my own room. l thought for moment
would fling myseleirom the open window and
dash my brains out, but felt afraid to die.
was not penitent. At times my heart was
subdued, but my stubborn pride rose in an in-
slant, and babe me not yield. The pale face
OF my mother haunted me. / flung myself on
the bed and fell asleep. Just at twilight /
heard footstep approach the door. 1t was
my sister.
What may tell mother from your she
asked. ssi.s 48afutI 5N
Nothing replied.
son, Alfred, for my sake, for all our sakes
say thai YOU are sorry--let me tell mother
that you are sorry. She longs to forgive YOU
l would not answer. heard her footsteps
slowly retreating, and again flung myself on
the bed to pass a wretched and fearful nigh.
Another footstep, slower and feebier tnan
my sisters disturbed me. ~
Alfred, my son, shall come in? Are you
sorry for what you have donep' she asked.
cannot tell what influence, operating at |
that moment, made me speak adverse to my |
feelings. The gentle voice Of roy mother, |
thatthrilled through me, melted the ice from
my heart, and / longed to throw myself on
her neck; but did not. Ny words gave the
lie to my heart when / said was not sorry
heard her withdraw. heard her groan.
longed to call her back, but did not
was awakened from my uneasy slumber
by hearing nay name called loudly, and my sis
ter stood by my bedside.
Get up, Alfred. Oh, don't wait minute!
Get up, and come with me. Mother is dl-
ingr
thought was yet dreaming, butt got up
mechanically, 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; andarising to go again
to me, she was seized with a palpitation OF the
heart and borne senseless to her room.
cannot tell you my agony as BOXED up
on her-my remorse was tenfold more bitter
from the thought that she would never know
it. believed myself to be her murderer. |
fell on the bed beside her. could not weep.
My heart burned in my bosom-ny brain was
all on fire. My sister threw her arms around
me, and wept in silence Suddenly we saw
slight motion of mothers hand-her eyes un-
closed. She had recovered consciousness,
but not speech. She looked at me and moved
her lips. l could not understand her words
"Mother, motherl" / shreked, "say only that
you for forgive me-" She could not say it with
her lips, but her hand pressed mine She |
smiled upon me, and lifted her thin, whit |
hands, she clasped my own within them, and /
cast her eyes upward. She moved her lips in /
prayer, and thus she died. remained still |
kneeling beside that dear form, till my gentle |
sister removed me.
The joy of youth had left me forever.
Boys, who spurn a. mothers control, who |
are ashamed to own that they are wrong, who I
think it manly to resist her authority, or
yield to her influence, bepdre, Lay not up
for yourself bitter memories for future years.