Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1874-08-05
THE TIMELY wAnxrvo.
/ FATHER

THE TIMELY WARNING.
My father after an absence Of three years
returned to the house so dear to him. lie
had made his last voyage, and rejoiccd to
have reached a haven Of rest from the per-
lis Of the sea. During his absence had .
grown froma child aud baby Of my mothers
(for was her youngesp into rough, care
less aud headstrong boy. Her gentle voice
no longer restrained me- | was often will
ful and sometimes disobedient | thought /
it indicated manly superiority to be inde-
pendent Of a womans influence. My faith [
er's return was fortunate circumstance |
for me. lie soon perceived the spirit Of
insubordination stirring within me. saw
by his manner that it displeased him, al
though 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 get
nv hat and take a walk with him. We
turned down a narrow lane into fine, open
feld--a fayorito playground for the child
dren in the neighborhood. After talking
cheerluly on different topics for awhile,
my father asked me if | observed that
huge shadow thrown by mass Of rocks
that stood in the middle Of the field. re-
piled that did.
My father owned this land said he
" 1t was my playground when boy. That
rock stood there then. To me it is a bea-
con, and whenever look at it recall a
dark spot in my lfe,-an event so painful
to dwell upon that, if it were notas warn
ing 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 snn. My mother
was a gentle, loving woman, devoted to her
children, and beloved by everybody. | re-
member her pale, beautiful face, ber sweet
affectionate smile, her 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 a
baby, sent me to the high school in the vii
lage. After assocating a time with rude
rough boys, | lost in measure my fond
ness for home and my reverence for ny
mother; aud it became more and NOR,
difficult for her to restrain my impetuou
nature. thought it indicated want o
! manliness to yield to her authority, or t
appear penitent, although | knew that m.
conduct NAMED her. The epithet | mos
\ dreaded was giri-b0g. | could not bear /
hear it said by my companions that was tie
n to my mothers apron-strings. From
quiet, home-loving child | soon became
wild, roistering boy. My dear mothe
= used every persuasion to induce me to see
:, happiness within the precincts Of HON,
" She exerted herself to make our firesiie a
! tractive, and my sister, following her sci
- sacrificing example sought to entice me b
= planning games and diversions for my Ell
I. tertainment saw all this, but did nj
y heed it,
II "Itwas on an afternoon like this that,
\ | was about leaving the dining table
~ spend the intermssion between mornir
and evening school in the street, as usua
y. my mother laid her hand on my shoulae
!, !, and said mildly but firmly My son,
~ ~ wish you to come with me- would ha'
- rcbeled, but something in her mann
> awcd me; We will take little walk t
!, pethor. | followed her in silence, and
~ was passing out Of the door observed Of
:. of my rude companions skulking about Il
u u house, and knew he was waiting for IN
~ " lie sneered as | went past him. My pri
oe ~ was wounded to the quick. He was We
- bad boy; but, being some years older tht
myself, he exercised great influence ov
us me. | followed my mother sulkily till ,
We reached the place where we now stand
ISL beneath the shadow ofthis huge rock. O
Wy my boy, could that hour be blotted fro
'st my memory, which has cast dark shade
ISL over my whole life, gladly would | exchan
'oo' all that the world can offer me for the qui
Is peace of mind should enjoy. But n
re- like this huge, unsightly pile stands t
ms monument of my guilt forever.
IL "My mother, being feeble in health :
down and beckoned me to sit down besi
'e- her. Her look, SO full Of tender sorro
el- is present to me now. l would not s
ng but continued standing sullenly besi'
lot Alfred, my dear son, said she, have y
: lost all love for your motherF ? | did 1
= reply
ny fear you have she continued "a
ko may God help you to see your own hea
en and me to do my duty She then talk
zen to me Of my misdeeds; Of the dreadful CT
Try sequence Of the course | was pursuing.
tears, and entreaties, and prayers, she tr
to make an impression on me- She plaC
before me the lives and examples Of gr
and good men she sought to stimulate
for ambition was moved, but too proud
lge show H. and remained standing in dogl
till silence besidehe Thought; What '
op- my companions say, if, after all my bol
Id, ing, yield at last and submit to be led
mas q woman ?
has What agony was visible on my mo
the er's face when she saw that all she said I
but suffered failed to move me. She rose to
ere home. aud followed at a distance.
TO spoke no moro to me till we reached our 0
net door.
gn, ''It is school-time now, said She 4
the my sou, aud once more let me beseech
one to think upon whatI have said
his a. shan't 60 to school, said |,
&c, "She looked astonished at my boldn'
ne but replied firmly: Certainly you '
po- Co. Alfred command you
nee al will not, said |, with tone Of d
life ance.
of 60 One of two things you must do, All
an either 60 to school this moment, Of
ne will lock you in your room and keep ,
aud there till you are ready to promise imp
zen obedience to my wishes in future"
Ior- So dare you to do it, said |. y
)es cant get me upstairs
the "'Alfred, choose now, said my mott
.ins who laid her hand upon my arm. !
the trembled violently, aud was deadly pale
iot. 90 Ifyou touch me, | will kick "
ong said |, in terrible rage. God know
! of knew not what said
'ors "'Will you 90, Alfred2
der g" No. | replied, but quailei bene
will her eyes.