Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-12-28
The Only Son.
A THRILLING SKETCH.

New York, and admlrlng the beauties
he pointed out to me with all the pride
and precision of the "oldest inhabit.
ant" my attention was attracted by
an aged couple, dressed in deep
mourning, who were walking slowly
down a shaded avenue in front of one
of the most beautiful residences in
the place.
The feeble steps Of the old lady
who heavily leaned upon the arm of
her companion, and the expression of
deep and lasting sorrow which pos.
sessed her thin and paid features
contrasted with the firm tread, and
stern, solemn aspect of the old man
awoke my curiosity, and l inquired if
there was not some domestic history
of interest connected with this vener-
able couple.
"There is, indeed" replied my
| friend; "you recall to my mind one
of the most singular incidents-the
most startling tragedy, in short
which our goodly village ever witness.
ed. That old and sorrow stricken
couple may be seen, twice or three
times week-oftener, wlen the
weather is fne-walking Down the
avenue in just such a mannei-never
any faster, never any slower.
You see them now getting into the
carriage, which has just rolled up to
the gate. They will ride a ME, when
the carriage will stop, and tley will
walk through another gate, which is
of iron, all black as ebony. They
will enter a green field, whsre the
birds sing sweetly these fine mornings
a lonely field, however. where there
are no dwellings above grourd, yet
there are great many inhabitants
the rich and poor interminglec, and
resting on the same level, about four
feet beneath the sod!
"This aged couple are going to
visit the grave Of their only child. Il
was son. will tell his history if
you will listen.
The old man was the most enter
prising, the boldest and most resolut,
man in the vicinity. His name is Col
H. You have heard of him. fol
be distinguished himself in the late
war. People used to say he wa.
made of iron. Yet he has one Of the
most upright and generous hearts il
the world.
The old lady | remember as a lady
of great beauty, not more than TWEEN
ty years ago, when she was about for
/ ty. Besides, she was quite as cele
brated for her gentleness and benevo
lence, as was the Colonel for his iron
will. She had a soft ahectiouate
heart, which shone benefcently on all
until its warmth was concentrated il
an only child.
He was a wild, handsome, passion
ate boy, generous at times, but often
er tyranical and wilful. We were
schoolmates, and we always played
together until he was sent away to ar
academy, when our intimacy ceased
! l saw him rarely afterwards, until
having been expelled IRON college fol
striking a professor, in fit of pas
sion, he returned to his fathers house
Morgan in his childhood had been
indulged and caressed by his fond
mother, and by his father treated witt
undue severity. The Colonel loved
his boy, but he believed in the neces
sity of discipline to curb his passions
while Mrs. H., weeping over her ia
theirs stern treatment of her darling
endeavored to make up for it in in
diligence. Then the boy grew up tc
fear his father. and to feel a contempt
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 personal appear
ance, for he was still handsome, but il
his manners. All l need say is, he
had earned the reputation of being the
most reckless and dissipated fellow il
college.
Col. H. was terribly enraged at tht
disgrace his wild son had brought up
on himself and family. He treated
him with greater severity than ever
refusing to crafty his love of pleasure
by furnishing him with funds, and sub
jecting him to the most rigid discip
line. The result was, father and son
had a terrible quarrel, in which tht
latter, boldly facing the thunders Of
the Colonels wrath, proved himself tt
have inherited his iron will, if not BIZ
nobleness of character.
" That very day Morgan left his ia
theirs house and took up his residenc,
at the hotel, to the great distress Of
Mrs. H., who from that time never sav
a happy day. These events occurre'
twelve years ago.
:" | don't know as the young mai
ever entered the house but once after
wards, except to see his mother in th'
absence of the Colonel, and to obtail
the funds she used to spare for hin
out Of her own allowance.
" Morgan wished to go abroad
But to travel very extensively requi
red more money than Mrs. H. had a
her command, and all her efforts t
induce the Colonel to grant suppl
for the purpose, were in vain. Sh
might as well have asked the sea to dt
liver up its riches. Enraged at tn
i'll success of her application, Morga
determined to see his father himsel
and by some means procure the an
cunt he was so desperately resolve
to have.
Learning one day that the Col(
mel had received large sum of MOI
. ey from the sale of some land, Morga
, thought it fine opportunity to max
, a descent on the parental purse, an
accordingly called on the old gentl
man before he had time to use tn
money, or deposit it in the bank.
"a domestic in the family, who al
, mitted Morgan, relates that the Col
3 mel was in his study, and that thel
was a bundle of bills on his des
when the young man entered.
, "The Colonel's countenance nev,
changed as he looked up and saw h
son standing before him; and wht