The weekly Oskaloosa herald. [volume] (Oskaloosa, Iowa) 1855-1885, 1874-06-11
THAT OTHER WILLIE.

"Willie, why don't you 60 and
play with the boys, and not be for
ever stuck at my feet ?"
Such was Mrs. Gray's impatient
question, one day, when her little
son came and seated himself in the
parlor when his mother was CONVEX
sing with visitor.
81 would rather be with you than
the boys" he answered tlmidly.
"Oh, never saw such BOBBY !"
"Is it wrong to wish to be near
you, mamma?' said the child, and
his neither lip trembled as he spoke.
"Wrong? OF course not. But you
are old enough to have some manli-
ness about you. See, yonder are
Will and John Gowdy on the ice,
run along and keep them company,
want to talk to Mrs. Brown"
"Isn't he queer child ?' she
asked.
The other raised her sad eyes, and
fixed them with such panied ex-
preston on the mothers face, that
for q moment Mrs. Grey felt almost
offended. She was sorrewful look.
ing woman, this Mrs. Brown.
81 had son once; but he has
gone now," and there were tears in
tones.
Mrs. Grey gazed at her wonder
ingly. She had not known this be-
fore.
"It is sad thing to tear open par.
TALLY healed wounds" continued
Mrs. Brown, "but let me tell you my
story :"
"Several years ago, 1 was about
to give party and a grand affair it
was to be, and my head was almost
turned while making the prepare,
tions. My Willie (his name was
Willie, too0 was about sixteen years
old. He had never been to school ;
I had educated him myself. AT
home, he was all mothers heart
could desire but he was shy, and
when forced him into company, he
appeared so awkward, that often
| felt ashamed of him. This was one
reason for my deciding to give q
party. If he was obliged to act the
part of host, he would overcome his
bashfulness, l thought, but Willie
never approved oft.
81 shall be 80 glad when that par
ty is over," he said one day ''fol
since you have got it into your head
| have lost my mother"
"Poor little baby p l responded
slightly provoked at his lack of in
terest. 81 wonder how many more
years l shall have you tied to my
apron strings J"
81 spoke sneeringly, and proud
flush instantly overspread his face.
"I will be tied there no longer
he returned. 81 will seek other
company in the future"
81 was frightened at the result OF
my words. Still l made no response.
My boy put on his hat and coat, and
went out. 1t was the first time in
his life he had gone out without in
forming me where he was going.
"In good time the party come off,
1t was a gay affair, and none were
gayer than Willie. He was sort of
an extremist, and took no medium
stand. After that, his books and
work were neglected, and his days
as well as his evenings were spent
abroad. Fast young men became
his constant companions. l was
left alone to mourn over the change
which l had wrought. At first, he
made it rule to be in at night at ten
o'clock but after time, he began to
stay out later (; and day-break some
times found him from home. l tried
to expostulate, tried to win him back
to his old habits, but my efforts were
unavailing. He had taste of new
life, and it held him by charm.
Well do remember the first night
he came home in state of intoxica.
ton. 1t was his seventeenth birth
day, just a year from the time that ]
had given. the party. l had seen
him under the influence of wine once
or twice before but on this night he
had drank 30 deeply that some of his
companions had to help him home.
"Those hours were dreadful
hours of self.reproach and agony. !
was SO glad when morning came to
dispel the gloom-so glad when rea'
son came to my erring child. He
was very much ashamed, and said
again and again, he would do better,
but his resolves were worthless.
Two nights later he was again
brought home intoxicated. After
that it was a common occurrence.
He fell lower and lower, squandered
all my ready money, and when l re-
fused to mortgage my property, that
he might have more, he left me with
an oath.
"That night q large firm was rob.
bed, and it was soon discovered that
Willie was one of the perpetrators
| of the deed. The next morning the
town was wild with excitement, and
l was crazed with anxiety, for my
boy had fled. The news passed
from mouth to mouth my house
was searched, and my son called q
villain /; but / had no power to pre-
vent either. No one gave me word
cf sympathy.
"You have only yourselfto blame,
said blunt old woman, who called
during the day. THE boy was hap
py at home, but you drove him into
bad company"
"That night, at the hour of twelve
a window softly opened, and Willie
stepped into the room. With q glae
cry sprang toward him, but ht
pushed me rudely away.
"'Can you hide me anywhere 2
] he said. "The hounds are after me