Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-12-22
THE ONLY BOY.
"rATnrRs, PROVOKE NOT YOUR CHILDREN"

"FATnrRs, PROVOKE NOT YOUR cmLDREN.'
One fine summer morning, as | was riding
with a friend through handsome village in
the central part Of New York, and admiring
the beauties be pointed out % me with all
the pride and precision Of the " oldest inhub-
liant, my attention was attracted by an aged
couple, dressed in deep mourning, who were
walking slowly down shaded avenue in front
Of one Of the most beautiful residences in the
place.
The feeble steps Of the old lady, who heay-
lily leaned upon the arm Of her companion
and the expression Of deep and lasting sorrow
which possessed her thin and palid features,
contrasted with the firm tread, and stern, SOL
emn aspect Of the old man, awoke my curios-
ity, and inquired if there was not some do
nestle history Of interest connected with this
venerable couple.
There is, indeed" replied my friend /;
you recall to my mind one Of the most sin
gular incidents--the most startling tragedy,
in short-which cur goodly village ever wit
messed. The old and sorrow-stricken couple
may be seen, twice or three times a week
ofteler, when the weather is 6ne-Ualking
down the avenue in Just such manner new
er any faster, never any slower.
You see them now getting into the car
riage, which has just rolled up to the gate.
They will ride a mile, when the carriage will
stop, and they will walk through another
gate, which is of iron, all black as ebony
They will enter green field, where the birds
sing sweetly these fine mornings, a lonely
field, however, where there are no dwellings,
above ground, yet there are a great many iu-
habitants-the rich and the poor intermin-
ged, and resting on thesame level, about four
feet beneath the sod
"Ths aged couple are going to visit the
grave of their only child. 1t was a sou. |
will tell his history if you will listen.
The old man was once the most enterpris-
ing, the boldest and most resolute man in the
vicinity. His name is Col H. You have
heard Of him, for he distinguished himself in
the late war People used to say he was
made of iron. Yet be has one of the most
upright, generous hearts in the world.
a. Tho old lady remember as lady Of
grelt beauty, not more than twenty years
ago when she was about forty. Besides, she
was quite as celebrated for gentleness and be-
nyolence, as was the Colonel for his iron
wi. She had soft, affectionate heart
which shone benehcently on all, until its
wrmth was concentrated in an only child.
" He was a wild, handsome, passionate boy
goerous at times but often tyrannical and
wlful We were schoolmates, and we always
phyed together until he was sent away to an
academy, when our intimacy ceased. | saw
hm rarely afterwards, until, having been ex.
pdled from college for striking a professor,
in fit of passion, he returned to his father s
h9use.
Morgan, in his childhood, had been iu-
dlged and caressed by his fond mother, and
br his father treated with undue severity.
The Colonel loved his boy, but he believed in
the necessity of discipline to curb his pas
sans, while Mrs H., weeping over the fathers
stern treatment Of her darling, endeayored to
make up for it in indulgence. Then the boy
gew up to fear his father, and to feel a con-
tmpt for the authority Of his mother.
"Well, on Morgan's return from college
in disgrace, he was so changed that you would
hardly have known him not so much in per-
sonal appearance, for he was still handsome,
bui in his manners. All l need say is, he
had earned the reputation Of being the most
reckless and di,sipated fellow in college.
Col. H. was terribly enraged at the dis
grace his wild son had brought upon himself
and family. He treated him with greater
severity than ever, refusing to crafty his
love of pleasure by furnishing him with funds,
and subjecting him to the most rigid disci-
pline. The result was, father and son had a
terrible quarrel, in which the latter, boldly
facing the thunders of the Colonel's wrath,
proved himself to have initiated his iron will,
If not his nobleness of character.
That very day Morgan left his fathers
house and took up his residence at the hotel,
to the great distress of Mrs. H. who, from
that time, never saw happy day. These
events occurred twelve years ago.
81 don't know that the young man ever
entered the house but once afterwards except
to sec his mother in the absence Of the Colonel
and to obtain the funds she used to spare foI
him out Of her own allowance.
Morgan wished to 90 abroad. But to
travel very extensively, required more money
than Mrs. II. had at her command, and all
her efforts to induce the Colonel to grant q
supply for the purpose, were in vain. She
might as well have asked the sea to deliver
up its riches. Enraged at 'the ill-success OF
her application, Morgan Determined to see
his father himself, and by some means pro-
cure the amount he was so desperately re-
solved TO have,
Learning, one day, that the Colonel had
received large sum Of money, from the sale
of some land, Morgan thought it fine OPP
portunity to make descent on the parental
purse, and accordingly called on the old gem
tleman before he had time to use the money,
or deposit It in the bank
A domestic in the family, who admitted
Morgan, relates that the Colonel was iu his
study, aud that there was bundle of bills on
his desk when the young man entered.
Z" The Colonel's countenance never changed
as he looked up, and saw his son standing be-
fore him and when be spoke his words came
forth cold and hard, as if his throat had been
Of marble.
"What is your business, sir "
Morgan returned his fathers stern look
with an unainching gaze, as he replied
come to prefer claim"
I" AT the word claim, the Colonel sneered,
but said nothing
81 desire to travel" pursued Morgan, as
if he had been talking to an equal. &" 1t can
be no advantage to you to keep me within the
sight of your door, which is shut against me,
and within the odor Of your gardens and Or
chards, which cannot enjoy. You will not
refuse theo, hope, to supply me with funds,
that will enable me to see something Of the
world and to establish myself abroad"