The Van Buren press., 1874-12-29
MIS- SCELLANY
A STORY FOR BOYS.
A Timely Warning.


Nv fahcr, after an absence of three
years. returned to the house 40 dear to
him. He had made his last voyage, and
reioiced to have reached haven of rest
from the pcrils of the sea. During his
absence | had grown from a child and
baby Of my mothers for | was her
youngosO into rough, careless, and
headsirong boy. Her geHtle voice no
longer restrained me- was often will
full, and sometimes disobedent. |
thought it indicated manly superiority to
be Independent Of a woman's influence.
Ny fathers return was q fortunate cir
cumstancc for me- He soon perceived
tae spirit of finsubordinatio stirring with
in me. saw. by his manner, that it dis
pleased Mm, although, for few days he
said nothing to me about it
1t was an afternoon in October, bright
and golden, that my father told me to
Let my hat and take walk with him.
We turned down a narrow lane into fine
open feld--a favortc playground for the
children in the ncighborhood After
talking cheerfully on different topics for
awhile, my father asked me il observed
that huge shadow thrown by a mass OF
rocks that stood in the middle Of the
field. replied that did
MY father owned this land said he.
at was my playground when boy
That rock stood there, then. To me it is
a beacon, and whenever look at it,
recall dark spot in my life an event so
painful! to dwell upon that, if it were n OF
AS n warning to you, ! should not speak
of it. Listen, then, my dear boy, and
learn wisdom from your fathers errors.
My father died when was mere child.
| was the only son. My mother was a
gentle, loving woman, devoted to her
children and beloved by everybody. !
remember her pale, beautiful face--her
sweet, aifectionate smile-hcr kind and
tender voice. In my childhood | loved
her intensely. was never happy apart
from her; and she, fearing that | was
becoming too much Of baby, sent me
to the high school in the village. After
associaling a time with rude, rough boys
| lost, in measure, my fondness for
homo, and my reverence for my mother; !;
and it became more and more difficult for
her to restrain my impetuous nature. l
thought it indicated want of maniiness
to Weld TO her authority, or to appear
peniteH,. although knew that my con-
duct panied her The epithct the most
dreaded was girl.boy could not bear
to hear it said by my companions that !
was tied to my mothers apron stripgs
From quiet, home. loving child. ] soon
became a wild, rosterng boy. My dear
mother used every persuasion to induce
me to seek happiness within the precincts
of home She exorted herself to make
our fresidc attractive, and my sister, FOL
following her self sacrificing example,
sought to entice NE by planning games
and diversions for my entertainment. ]
saw all this; but did not heed it.
at was on an afternoon like this that,
rs | was about leaving the dining table,
to spend the intermisson between morn
inp and evening school in the street, my
mother. as usual, laid her hand on my
shoulder, and said mildly, but firmly
NV son, wish you to come with me-
I would have rebelled but something IN
her manner awed me: I'VE will take a
walk together followed her in silence
and. as was passing out the door, !
observed one OF my rude companions
skulking about the house, and l knew ne
was waiting for me He sneered as went
past him. My pride waswonnded to the
quick. lie was very had boy; Eat