The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1874-09-02

a = m6ther saw it all, called her son
b her and told him that that old man,
30 pvor. so low, was yet a human be-
ing, thing to pity, not pelt; to raise
up, not knock down.
Fired, at your age he was his pa
rents pride, and no more dreamed
that he would ever. be SO fallen, than
you dream that son will one day be-
II was mad that my mother should
imply even a remote possibility that |
could ever be like that old drunkard
I so loathed and despired," he said to
me.
\ They rang the door bell. NT
4 Hing on,to the railing, Fred il
"Pr--pr-pr-pretty.vice to gi-
give fel-fel-low"- when the
rail-l-ling swings at this rate"
But his boon companions have gone,
and his mother, aged, but not with
years, stands before him.
"G-good evening, m-mother-
hic. Havn't drank dr-drop to.
night. It-told you | w-wouldn't.' .
One look of bitter sorrow, and the
widowed mother placed her steady
arm around her unsteady son. One
lussb,yene bang against the door, one
clutch at the balustrade.
What a---ails this h-house? Ha-
hSvi6g an ea-eartk. --qua-ke2'1 4
But a look in his mothers stern,
sad face, sobered him little.
''Ha-have-n't dr-drank a d.
drop to-ni-night--hic-pon honor
I-1-hayn't."
Seating him in an arm chair, his
mother bade him ''sit there and not
try to Srise, and she went up where
Ratae, j lovely girl of Seventeen. was
elSsphg she look cd&t her a moment,
Could she disturb her? Could she
roll portion of the great sorrow, that
was eating out her very life, on that
young and happy heart? She turned
away. Should her son, her only SON
be made the lscoyp, Of the servants, the
talk Of the Kitchen, the gossip of the
stranger? Could Katie be kept in ig,
norance much longer? Oh! if she bu'
might be!-but could she? She turn
ed back-she turned away again. She
the ear.headed woman, was bewild
cred by her great sorrow; she, thu
firm of purpose, wavering, as her low
for one balanced her love for tn,
other.
But if her boy were disgraced,-i
he lost all his self respect, Katie mus
know; better that she should whel
perchance her sorrow would appeal I,
all that was noble and good in he
brother
She turned firmly now; but he
voice trembled as she said, Katie!
"Why! mother; are you sick?"
mo! but your brother - Sh
| could not speak that word. Com
down and help me get him up stairs.
us Freddie sick?" vre-sa -,
The mother led on, but at the to
Of the stairs she stopped
Katie, your brothefshas fallen int
bad company tonight" and she pass
ed to where hcsstill sat, his head sway
ing from side to side.
-s.Is he asleer. mother Are 20
hurt Freddie, dear?" ~ -
eyes and with-- -
"Hic, Katie. g-got ready for
par-party! I'll ego in as min
minute. Ha--yn't d-drapk Il
drop tonight. Pom hon-1DE6r
ha--havn't." atI7rt o
This from her darling, her onl
brother, her pride, her idol. was to
much. The light of her life was DARK
ness, and she threw out her hand as
to clutch happiness before it shoul
vanish for ever; then, as hope die,
she fell as one dead.
He tried to rise and offer. paudli
| sympathy; but the mother. stern
bade him "sit still, and then, wit
cologne and kisses and tears, bfougl
her back; but not to be the joyou
light hearted girlhood of an hour b,
fore, but to sorrowing, suffering VI
manhood. 84I4 n =.
["Thank God there is a world whel
| ty, he smo- ID me "'' F'" CO.. ~" ~; ~
1t was useless to try to get him U
stairs, and so they just helped him
the parlor sofa, and there those tv
women, one now as never before, s
down to wait and weep.
is this the first time, mother?'
"Yes! the first time he has ever BET
helpless, but not the FIRST time he h
taken too much"
=" And to spare me. you have Sc
me to bed when he has been O
alone" .l.
Yes, dear, and 1 am sorry l VOL
you tonight. l thought we could &
him to his room." -
Mother, you ought not to ha
borne it alone SO long. l have oft,
wondered what made you grow old
fast, but thought it was mourning {
our dear father. Oh! if he were on
here?'
How many times have / said til
to myself. Fred needs a father
hand" -,.''
How long has he been falling in
this habit?'
while in college, and this led yo
father to bring him home at the e,
of the third year." z
Il am glad you told me that.
seemed SO strange that father cou
so change all his plans for Fred, al
dash all my hopes Of seeing him di
tinguished man Of letters" !"
''Itwas great trial to your fatht
but he hoped that an entire change
scene and associates might save hi,
but he has found as bad at home
he left at college. Have you ney
seen that he drank"
Yes, / have. But not more tn
others, / thought gentleman mig
drink some, and never for . nome
dreamed that he would even ia