Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1868-10-27
A Touching Story.

to have been given by u father to his son, as
a warming derived from his own bitter ex>
perience, of the sin of resisting a 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 go home, aud followed
at distance. She spoke to me not till she
reached her own door,
eIt is school time now" she said. $50,
my son, and once more let me bescech you
to think upon what have said.' -
81 shan'tg go to school," said l.. ~
She looked astonished at my boldness, but
replied firmly:
Certainly, you will, Alfred. I command
you" 54'.- a-aa 2aii--i aaf .Eaff9
Il will not" said L; ''you can't get me
up stairs" si sa eiisl H5iLa
"One of the two things you must do, AL
fred-either go to school this minute, or
will lock you up in your room, and keep you
there until you promise implicit obedience to
my wishes in the future" @
Il dare you to do it, said l ."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
eff you touch me, will kick you, said !, :,
l.
| said
"Will you go, Alfred ?'' 7-..s sai
"Now replied, but quailed beneath
her eye. .-st.. .
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! 1 kicked her
How my head reels, as the torment of men,
ory rushes over me! l kicked my mother,
feeble woman-my motherl She staggered
back few steps aud leaned against the wall.
She did not look at me. l saw her heart
beat against her breast. 80, Heavenly
Father ~ she cried, "forgive him-he knows
not what he does I'' The gardener just then
passed the door, and seeing: my mother
was pale and almost unable to support her.
self, he stopped. She beckoned him to come in.
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
intense love-it was the last unutterable pang
from heart that was broken.
In moment found myself prisoner in
my own room. thought for a moment
would fling myself from the open window,
but felt that was afraid to die. was not
penitent. At times my heart was subdued,
but rose in ar. instant, and babe me not yield
me. l flung myself on the bed and fell
approach my door. 1t was my sister.
What shall tell mother for you :" she
said
"NCtbing," replied
90, Alfred, for my sake, and for all our
sa&es, say that you are sorry. She longs to
forgive you"
| would not answer. [ heard her foot
steps slowly retreating, and again flung my
self on the bed to pass a wretched and fear
ful night.
Another footstep, slower and feebler than
my sisters, disturbed me-
ALFRED, my son, shall come in ?" she
asked.
cannot tell what Influences, 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 upon
her neck but l did not. My words gave
the lie to my heart, when [ said L was not
sorry. I heard her withdraw. heard her
groan. L lOnged to call her back, but did not.
| 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 a minute
Get up and come with me- Mother is dyiDg."
l 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
go again to me, she was seized with u palpi-
tation of the heart, and borne to her room.
cannot tell my agony as looked upon
henry rcmorse was teufold more bitter from
the thought that she never would know it,
believed myself to be her murderer. fell
on the bed beside her. l could not weep
My heart burned within my bosom-my brain
was on fire. My sister threw her arms around
me and wept in silence. Suddenly we saw
motion of mothers hand her eyes uucloscd.
She had recovered Consciousness, but not her
speech. She looked at me, aud moved her
lips | conld not understand her words.
Mother Mother :" l sbriekeed "say only
that 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 clasped
my own within them and cast her eyes upward
She moved her lips in prayer, and thus she
died. remained still kneeiing beside that
dear form till my gentle sister removed me-
The joy of youth had departed forever
Boys who spurn mothers control, who
are ashamed to own they are wrong, who
think it manly TO resist her authority, or yield
to her influence, beware! Lay not up for
yourselves bitter memories for your future
years.
A BEAUTIFUL SENTIMENT-We clip the
following beautiful sentiment from an ex-