Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-11-05
mis- cELlANEo US.
A HASTY WORD.

"S53 AIRY" !" said to our little five year old
@s 'swili you run and tell Bridget to have
warm biscuits for tea ?'
He started quickly, and. as he started. his
foot caught in little stand upon which had
placed rare Partisan vase, with rosebud
just unfolding its petals in it. The stand fell
over, and the vase Ga gift from my mother)
was shattered.
"You naughty boy" cried angrily, "You
deserve to be whipped. Pick up those pieces
instantly and put them in the coal hod -
He stopped, carefully picked up the frag>
ments, carried them away and was gone for
some time. When he returned, it was with
something claspcd in his hand
Coming to me he placed five>cent piece
in nv hand, saying timdly:
''Will that buy new vase mamma ?"
What evil demon possessed me to take the
coin, his sacredly cherished treasure. kind
nei"hbor had given him, and throw it from
nc, I know not.
Harry picked itup with tears running down
his checks. and sat down upon his stool with
hands folded so meekly. Presently he said ::
Mamma, may | go play with Eddy Pot.
ter z"
Il don't care where you CO." said GROSSLY.
''as long as you keep out of my sight"
Harry went to the closet where his coat and
hat hung, put them on and came aud stood by
my side.
"Nlammo. will you please forgive me? I
am so sorry - aud nc put up his lips for
kiss.
O. God forgive me. pushed the little
fellow away. lie stood bv the door a mo>
ment, looking ritifuliy at me. 1t is twenty
five years ago to-day since he stood there
but can see his blue coat and red and srav
worsted skating cap. as the little feet went
slowly down the stairs heard hin, 90 out
and unfnstcn the gate. Looking out of the
window, | saw the little fellow lift his face
with s,iiie as he saw me, which gave place
to painful quiVer of the lips as he saw I took
no notice OF him. I watched the darling
down the street with a strange underlined feel
ing, till the little coat aud red ruttens wcro
no longer visible. Twice a sudden imnulsc
moved ,ne to call him back, but crushed !.
down Oh would tn God | had. We'll. 7
sewed all through the winter afternoon. Al
i o'clock | put away my work and sat by the
window. Conscience began to reproach me
frr my conduct ~ don't care" said [, "my
beautiful vase is in ruins :"
What is the value of all the vases in the
world compared with your child Have YOU
not spoken GROSSLY to that dear little Harry.
And this is not the first time either and YOU
call yourself Christian mother. too SIM.
pose Harry should be suddenly taken away
from you would not your cruel words haunt
you forever?
L could bear this no longer. I rose and
picked up the stray litter about the room to
give it a more tidy appearance
Then went to the window, peeripg out
anxiousy in the gloom, but seeing nothing of
my boy, my heart became terribly heavy: this
suspense terrible. Hastily throwing a
shawl over my head. ran into Mr.. Po.ter's
''Have you seen Eddie p was the question
before I entered the room.
Have you seen Harry ?"
"ile was over here at half past two; he and
Eddie went over to Josie Gray's, think
What she thought. l never knew, for at
that momen the door flew open and Eddie
rushed in Lreathless. screaming
"Oh mother, mother Harry Loring is
drowned We we're sliding on the mill pond,
and there was a hole in the ice with snow On
1t, and Harry didn't see it. and"
Hush, Eddie" said his mother" locking
at me teartully; ''here is Mrs. Loring"
There was great silence in the room,
broken only by the biithe, sweet voice of a
canary, and the purr of Maltese cat. Pres
emily Mrs. Potter came toward me aud placed
her hand softly on my shoulder, saying =
ella, my poor child :"
But never moved, but sat gazing with
wide open eyes upon awful picture. A
cold gray afternoon. pond and little figure
wel>known to me suddenly disappearing
through the tTeacherous ice, down, down. the
little hand grasping at the treacherous weeds.
the sweet mouth full of water And these
wicked, sinful words ringing in my ears II
don't care where you go, SO long as you keep
out OF my sight" There was mist before
my eyes, ringing iu my ears, I remember
leaving the house with a blind feeling of going
where my Harry was. Then came a horrihle
sense OF the earth breaking away at nv feet.
and [ knew no more
~ pleasant feeling of warmth, lspcu;d
sense pervaded my whole system. I opened
my eyes and glared about the room. -
strange woman by the fire; at the foot of the
bed my husband with his hands over his ewes.
l tried to think what had happened, hut in
vain. Then my attention was arrested by
little figure in red flannel night dress cud-
died up in big chair-my Harry. Then it
all flashed accross my mind set mp straight
in bed with faint. "Why, what is it ?"
You must not talk : lie down. Oh. darl-
ingH' and the strong man wept like child.