Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1869-10-27
EDWARD NORTON.

d" | think when fellow earns his board
and clothes, he might be allowed TO stir With
out three or four to watch him. Mother sits
up till | come in, and if the clock has struck
eleven her face is rs long as my arm. am
tired of living 30"
1t was not from desire for dissipation or
unlawful liberties of any kind that Edward
Norton made the above speech lie was ar
irving at the age when, as sage observer
once remarked, "a boy has devil in his
heart towards his mother" She seemed much
much less a friend than Jake Ilurd, who stood
by his side on the piazza Of the hotel, whore
he had been loungiug away an hour after the
closing of the store, watching games Of bill
lizards.
$50 | say, Ed. Take another cigar; it is
only ten o'clock. | left of boarding at home
because | wouldn't stand being treated like
baby. Now, nobody knows when 90 to bed,
and when get up. / am only responsible
to Edgar & Williams, who are satisfied with
me, and pay my salary regularly Mothers
letters give me the blues though. | took
an agency through Missouri last year. and
thought I'd escape curtain-lectures and moth
er's apron-strings. | stopped over Sabbath
at St. Joseph, and there in the postoiliee were
four letters from my mother, lecturing me for
my wild ways. She had found out my adj
dress from my employer. | gave up in de-
spair; but to board at home, and be tram
meled by rules and regulations like a twelve
year old boy, is a thing | wont bear"
No boy of spirit would" replied Ed
ward d" If | am capable of earning my
way, think | can be trusted with my eve
nings. If mother supported me- it would
alter the case As things are, am my own
master, and wont stand being snubbcd every
time | come in late any longer"
al like your spirit, boy" said Jake. "Toll
your mother tonight just what you have told
me, and she'll give in. Mothers will 90
through anything rather than have sou
leave home. never joined any church,
and do MT set up for pious, and do MT mean
to; AMI the sooner my mother makes up her
mind TO it, the better it will be for all con-
cerned.n
Edward WINGED little at this, for one
short year before he had stood up with a few
companions of his own age, and protested
Christ in the great congregation His neg
lected Bible and unbent knee gave him mo-
ments Of sharp uneasiness, but the company
of Jake Hurd and few kindred spirits did
much to quiet his fears, and Satan seemed
about to succeed in tearing him from his
mothers arms of love and prayer.
He walked home in company with Jake,
who lived on the next block His eye un-
consciously turned to the second story win
dow, where the gas always burned while his
mother waited. All was dark. Jake read
his anxiety in his quickened step, and said,
. Do MT get excited Ed The old lady has
given it up. / broke my mother in Just so
Keep stiff upper lip, Ed. Goodnight"
Ed hurried in and up the stairs. The
sound of his night-key had always brought
footsteps to the banisters aud the question in
the familiar voice of his mother, Is that
you, Edf'' but now all was still His heart
beat strangely as he CROPPED his way to his
mothers room, and lighting the gas, found
a note directed to him on the bureau, saying
she had been sent for to her mothers dying
bed, and requesting him to close the house
the next morning and join her. He wandered |
through the deserted rooms where his three |
brothers slept, and back where his little sis |
ter's shoes and dresses had been thrown down
in haste in her empty crib as they prepared
for their sad journey, He felt oppressed
His fathers portrait hanging over the mantel-
piece seemed to look him through, and the
last words that issued from those lips, pallid
i, death, Edward will be a protection and
support to you, my poor wife," rang in his
ears.
He went to his room, but could not sleep.
His conscience whispered, " How could you
let your mother pass through such n scene of
agony alone2 Instead Of helping her bear
her sorrow, you were lounging, smoking, and
serving Satan with Jake Hurd. You are
your oicR master, as you call it, tonight
How do you like itl Suppose you should
never hear your mothers voice again. Wha
then?"
81 hay MT done anything so very wrong
| am a hard worker, and need little fresl
air and recreation. This telegram was un
fortunate | earn my living, and must have
some rights"
Edward could not quiet his noisy accusel
in this way. +" Think Of your Saviour, you
King and Creator, who could at any tim
command legions of angels at his bidding
whose wisdom at twelve years old confounde
the wise men in the temple; think of hi
obedience and submission to his sinful earthl
parents. Never till his helpless feet an
hands were nailed to the cross did he ceas
his filial care and love. Are you his follow
er; aud because you earn a few dollars eac
week, have you ioiued idle fellows in derit
ing a mothers I'VE Beware lest deaf
mercifully end her night-watches, and leay
you yoar arm master"
Edward tossed restlessly upon his pillow
exclaiming, What a wretch have been
what short-sighted fool to let Jake Hun
influence me against my mother. She mu
have sent to the store for me. | wish 81
had scolded NE in that note. | wouldn't fe
half SO bad. ] am glad our little Ben
not catch me where | was"
The large hal-clock struck twelve. As
re-echoed through the deserted house, Edwai
could bear it no longer, and arose to walk Il
floor. " After all, mother is unsefsh, al
only wants to help me to be an honorab
man. She knows as well as ! do that | a
in mischief when | stay out after she is
bed. What should | do without her Z" II
the first time in months his lips utter praye
'God be mercifu TO me a sinner" A ne
life began in his soul that night. When
followed his grandmother to the grave, wi
his mother leaning upon his arm, a few da
later, he made resolutions in Christs strengt
- which he kept while life lasted His brothe
nnu niniof BIo" up hh thht DC uenlIed una
his correct example,
Jack Hurd never knew why his acquar
rnce with Edward ceased from the night
left him gazing at the darkened window. |
soon found new yiciims, who will be bragg,
down 10 destruction unless God in mercy a
pear for their deliyerance. Young man, Fl
not al your praying mothers watch and pra,
or You cannot be your own master; i
once freed frQma bone restraints, fierce, r
leotless maI waits you. DO not shall
of her tender hand as it stays your waywal
steps. Yield TO her love- and blisslul etern
~ isyours
The New jersey cranberry crop tn
year Is valued at two and . half millions.