The Manitowoc tribune. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1866-1878, 1868-11-12

ed back few steps and leaned against the |
wall. She did not look at me- l saw her !
heart beat against her breast. 90, Heav- |
emily Father !" she cried forgive him-he
knows not what he doesl" The gar
dener just then passed the door, and see
ing my mother was pale and almost unable
to support herself, she beckoned him to
come in"
''Take this boy up stairs a1d lock him
In his room," said she, and turned off from
me- 1t was lock Of agony, mingled with
intensest love--~it was the last unutterable
pang from heart that was broken.
In a moment l found myself prisoner
in my own room. Thought for a moment
l would fling myself from the open win
dow, but / felt that was afraid to die.
was not penitent. At times my heart was
| subdued, but my stubbornness rose in an
| instant, and babe me not yield it The
pale face OF my mother haunted me. 1
| flung myself on my bed and fell asleep
Just at twilight heard footstep approach
my door. 1t was my sister.
"What shall tell mother for your" she
said.
Nothing replied
80, Alfred, for my sake and all our
sakes, say that you are sorry. Let me tell
mother you are sorry. She longs to for
give you"
| would not answer. l heard her foot
steps slowly Tetreating, and again flung
myself on the bed to pass wretched and
fearful night.
Another footstep, slower and feebler
than my sisters, disturbed me.
alfred, my sou, shall l come in?" she
asked.
] cannot tell what influence, operating
at that moment, made me speak adverse to
my feelings. The gentle voice of my
mother that thrilled me, melted the ice
from my heart, and | longed to throw my
self upon her neck; but l did not. My
words gave the lie to my heart when
said was not sorry. | heard her witt
draw. I heard her groan. | longed to
call her back, but 1 did not.
was awakened from an uneasy slum-
Der by hearing my name called loudly,
and my sister stood by my bedside.
"Get UP, Alfred. Don't waite & min
ute. Get up and come with me- Mother is
dying!"
/ thought l was yet dreaming, but l got
up mechanically and followed my sister.
On the bed, pale as marble, lay my mother.
She had thrown herself on the bed to rest;
and rising to go again to me, she was seiZ-
ed with a palpitation of the heart, and
borne to her room.
/ cannot tell you my agony as looked
| upon ner-my remOTSe was tenIOld more
bitter from the thought that she never
would. know it. believed myself to be
her murderer / fell on the bed beside
her. 1 could not weep. My teart burned
within my bosom-my brain was on fire.
Ny sister threw her arms around me and
wept in silence Suddenly we saw mo-
ton of mothers hand her eyes Enclosed.
She had recovered her consciousness, but
not her speech. She looked at me and
moved her lips. l could not understand
her words.
"Motherl mother !" 1 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 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
my youth had left me forever.
Boys who spurn mothers control;
who are ashamed to own they are young
who think it manly to resist her authority,
or yield to her influence, beware! Lay
not up for yourselves bitter memories for
| yOur future wears