Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1866-06-20
a Touching Story.


The following affecting narrative purports
to have been given by a father to his son,
as a warning derived from his own bitter ex-
perience OF greving and resisting a mother 5
love and counsel.
What agony was visible on my mother S
face when she saw that all she said and suf
-tered failed to move me She rose to go
home and | followed at distance. She
spoke no more to me till she reached her
own door.
at is school time now," said she. $50
to think upon what | have said. -
II shan't go to school,, said l.
She looked astonished at my coldness,
but replied firmly:
Certainly. you will go, Alfred, l COM
mand you. y
Il will not" said |, in tone of defiance.
One of two things you must do, Alfred
either go to school this morning, or | will
lock you in your room and keep you there
till you are ready to promise implicit obedi
ence to my wishes in the future
Il dare you to do it, you can't get me up
stairs.
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 you, said
Il L
what | said.
'.Will you go Alfred ?'' said she.
No" | replied, but quailed beneath her
eye.
Then follow ne, said she, as she grasp
ed my arm firmly.
raised my foot-'oh, my son, hear mel
I raised my foot and kicked her-my
sainted mother! How my head reels as
the torrent of memory rushes over me
| kicked my mother, feeble woman-my
mother! She staggered back a few steps,
and leaned against the wall. She did not
look at me; l saw her heart beat against
her breast.
.'Ohl Heavenly Father" said she, ''for-
give him, he knows not what he does u
The gardner just then passed the door,
and seeing my mother pale and almost un-
able to support herself, he stopped. She
beckoned him in.
Take this boy up stairs, and lock him
,, in his room, said she, and turned from me.
: Looking back as she was entering her room,
, she gave such a look of agony, mingled with
til. most intense love lit was the last unut
terable paug from a heart that was broken.
In moment | found myself prisoner
in my own room. thought, for a moment,
| would fling myself from the open window,
and dash my brains out, but felt afraid to
do it. | was not penitent. At times my
heart was subdued but my stubborn rride
rose in an instant, and babe me not yield.
The pale face of my mother haunted me.
l flung myself in bed and feel asleep. Just
at twilight heard footsteep approach the
door. 1t was my sister.
What may | tell my mother for you p
she asked.
Nothing" | replied
ooh, Alfred for my sake, for all our
sakes say that you are sorry. She longs to
forgive you.
would not answer heard her foot
steps slowly retreating, and again threw
myself on the bed, 10 pass another wretched
and fearful night.
Another fo0tstep slower and feebler than
my sisters disturbed me- A voice called
me by name. 1t was my mothers.
Alfred, my son, shall come?' she
asked
can not tell hat influence, operating
at that moment made me speak adverse to
my feelings. I. The gentle voice of my moth
er thrilled through me, and melted the ice
of my obdurate heart, and L longed to throw
myself on her neck, but did not But my
words gave the lie to my heart when [ said
was not sorry. | heard her withdraw.
I heard her groan. | longed to call her
/ back, but I did not.
| | was awakened from my uneasy slumber,
+ by hearing my name called loudly and my
sister stood at my bedside.
] Get up, Alfred Oh don't wait min-
! ute Get up, and come with me. Mother
is dying"
I though. was dreaming. but l got up