The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1868-10-27
A Touching Story.

The following affecting narrative purports to
have been given by a father to his son, as .
warming derived from his own bitter experience
OF the SIN of resisting mothers love and counsel.
What agony was on my mothers face when
all that she said and suffered failed to move me
She rose to 60 home, aud followed at dis
tanee. She spoke to me no more till she reached
her own door, 100 go '-'''.
"It is school-tme now," she said. "Go, my
son, and once more let me beseech you to think
upon what have said" --" -t'o1l
II shant GO to school," said /. 30 80
She looked astonished az my boldness, but re-
piled firmly. "aa a.a
! .Certainly you will, Alfred! command YOU"
III will not !" said 'you cant get me up
stairs" sr r.s-. s.A.s -
| "One of the two things you must do, Alfred
either to 60 to school this minute, or I will
lock you up in your ROOM and keep you there
until you promise implicit obedience to my wishes
| in the future" a'4'H1s07 7'
Il dare you to do it, said Il; "you can't get
me up stairs t
alfred. choose now,' said my mother, who
laid her hand upon my arm She trembled
violently, and was deadly pale
'.If you touch Inc, Twill kick you" said I, in
a fearful rage. God knows knew not what
| said -.
'Wil you go, Alfred ~ ,.,..
"Nov' replied, but quailed beneath her.
eye. '". .+' ~ '.. ~ 80
Then follow me-" said she, as she grasped
my arm firmly raised my foot-"O, my SON,
hear mel raised my foot and kicked her
my sainted mother! How my head reels, as
the torment of memory rushes over mel kicked
my mother-a feeble wonaR-my mother She
staggered back few steps and leaned against
the wall She did not look at me. / saw her
hoo. lo.t l,ar an L.
Father she cried, sforgive him--he knows not
what he doesw The gardener just then passed
the door, and seeing my mother was pale and
almost unable to support herself, she beckoned
him to come in. n. A.- f'. K
Take this boy up stairs and lock him in his
| own room," said she, and turned off from me.
1t was look of agony, mingled with intensest
loye--it was the last unutterable pang from
heart that was broken. -..' s"
In moment | found myself a prisoner in my
own room. l thought for moment would
fling myself from the open window, but felt
afraid to die. was not penitent At times my
heart was subdued, but my stubbornness rose in
an instant, and badc me not yield yet The pale
face of my mother haunted me- l flung myself
on my bed and fell asleep. just at twilight
heard footstep approach my door. 1t was my
sister. .~------aa.-'-.'
"What shall tell mother for you?" she said.
Nothing" l replied. ..-z.a
20. Alfred, for my sake and for an our sakes,
say that you arc sorry Let me tell mother you
are sorry. She longs to forgive you" ..-
would not answer l heard her footsteps
slowly retreatng and again flung myself on
the bed to pass a wretched and fearful night.
Another footstep slower and feebler than my
sisters, disturbed me. .ar
"Alfred, my son, shall come in p she asked.
cannot tell what influence, operating at that
moment. made me speak adverse to my feelings.
The gentle voice of my p'other, that thrilled
| through me, melted the ice from my heart, and
longed to throw myself upon her neck but /
did not. My words gave the lie to my heart,
when l said | was not sorry. heard her with
draw heard her groan. longed to call her
back, but 1 did not ' rIt
was awakened from an uneasy slumber by
hearing my name called loudly, and my sister
stood by my bedside.
"Get up, Alfred Don't wait minute Get
up and come with ME. Mother is dyingw .
| thought was yet dreaming, but got up
| mechanically and followed my sister. On the
bed pale as marble lay my mother. She had
| not undressed She had thrown herself upon the
bed to rest and rising to 90 again to me, she
| was seized with palpitation of the heart, and
borne to her room. ..r.. ..ra rr.
| / cannot tell you my agony as L looked upon
| her-my remorse was tenfold moro bitter from
the thought that she never would know it. /
! believed myself to be her murderer fell on
| the bed beside her. / could not weep. My
heart burned within my bosom-my brain was
| on fire. sy sister threw her arms around me
and wept in silence. Suddenly we saw a motioa
of mothers hand her eyes unclosed She had
recovered consciousness, but not her speeck.
She looked at me and moved her lips. could
not understand her words.
! s.Mother mothcr"' | shrieked, 'say only say
tiaat you will 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 claspcd my own
within them, aud cast her eyes upward. She
moved her lips in prayer, and thus she died.
remained still knceling beside that dear form Till
my gentle sister removed me- The joy Of youth
| had left me forever.
| Boys and girls who spurn mothers control,
who are ashamed to own they wrong, who
think q manly to resist her authority, or
Weld to her influence, bprarc.' Lay not up for
yourselves bitter memories for your future years.
ia aWhar," asked renowned stump orator,