Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1869-01-16
A Touching Story.

to move me! She arose to 20 home and
followed at distance. She spoke to me
no more till she reached her own door.
alt is school time. now" she said" Go,
my son, and once more let me besccch you
to think upon what l have said"
IL shan't 20 to school" said |.
She looked astouishcd at my boldness,
but replied firmly:
"Certainly youwill, Alfred! command
you"
twill not" saidI, "you cant get me up
stairs"
Gone of two things you must do, AL
frcd-cithcr 80 to school this minute or !
will lock You up in your room, and keep
you there until you promise implicit obedi-
tncc to my wishes in the future"
81 dare you to do it," said 7; "you
can't get me up stairs"
alfred, choose now" said my mother,
who had laid her hands upon my arm. She
trcmbled violently, and was deadly pale.
IF you touch me l will kick you, said
l in fearful rage. God knows | knew
not what said.
"Will you 20, Alfred"
"No"I | replied, but quailcd beneath
her eye.
"Then follow me-" she said as she
graspcd me firmly. l raised my foot
''Oh, my son, hear me,"-T raised my foot
and kicked her. my saintcd monther. How
my head reels as the torment of memory
rushcs over me kicked my mother-a
feeble woman, my mother! She staggered
back few steps and leaned against the
the wall She did not look ut inc. saw
her heart beat against her breast. go
Heavenly father!' she cried, "forgivc him
-he knows not what he does" Tho
gardener just then passed the door, and
seeing my mother was pale and almost un-
able to support herself, she bcckoncd him
to come in"
"Take this boy up stairs and lock him
in his room," said she, and turned of from
me. ltwas look Of agony mingled with
intcnscst love--it was the last unuttcrablc
pamg from heart that was broken.
In moment found myself prisoner
in my own room. had thought for mo-
incnt would fling myself from the open
window, but felt that was afraid to die.
I was not pcnitcnt. At times my heart
was subducd, but my stubborncss rose in an
instant. and babe me not yield it. The
pale face of my mother haunted mo. l.
flung myself on my bed and fell asleep.
just at twilight hearda footstep approach
my door. 1t was my sister.
"What shall ! tell mother for you 2"
| she said. d..
Nothing" replied: - .''-.i d.
90, 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"
l would not answer. ] heard her foot
steps slowly rctrcatng, and again flung
myself on the bed to pass u wrctchcd and
fearful night. .. ...
Another footstcp, slower and fecblcr
than my sisters disturbed me. ........
Alfred, my sou, shall come y" she
asked. = p;
/ 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 heart, and I longcd to throw myself
upon her neck; but l did not. My words
gave the lie to my heart when said that
was not sorry. heard her withdraw.
I heard her groan. longed to call her
back, but / did not. ~.
! was awakened from an uneasy slumbcr
by hearing my name called loudly, and my
sister stood beside my bedside. 49,.
scot up Alfred. Dou't wait minute.
Get up and come with me; mother is dy-
ing" .4s LOST y4s.4 -.
Thought was yet dreaming, but got
up mechanically and followed my sister.
On the bed, pale as marble, lay mother.
She had thrown herself on the bed to rest; /;
and raising to 90 again to me, she was
seized with q palpitation Of the heart and
borne to her room.
l cannot toll you my agony as / looked
upon henry remorse was tenfold more
bitter from the thought that she never
would know it. / believed myself to be
her murderer. foil on the bed beside her.
could not weep. My heart burned with.
in 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 cycs unclosed. She
looked at me and moved her lips. l could
not understand her words .''.
Mother! motherw l shrieked, "say
only that you forgive mel"
She could not say it with her lips but
her hand pressed minc. She smiled opon
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. 1 remained
still kneeling beside that dear form, till my
gentle sister removed me. The joy ofmy
youth had left me forever.
Boys who spurn amother's control; who
are ashamed to own they're young; who think
it mainly to resist herauthority, or yield to
her influence, beware! Lay not up for
yourselves bitter mem orics for your future