Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1874-06-23
MIS cELLAHE0Us
THAT OTHER WILLIE.
BY BELLA FRENCH.


"sSsssaTLLIE, why don't you go and play
sgc with the boys, and not be forever stuck
at my ieet?'
Such was Mrs. Grey's impatient question,
one day, when her little son came and seated
himself in the parlor, when his mother was
conyers!ng with visitor.
''I would rather be with you than the
boys, he answered, timidly.
''Oh, never saw such body %
sis it wrong to wish to be near you,
mamma 2" said the child, and his neither lin
trembled as he spoke.
"Wrong2 OF course not But you are
old enough to have some manliness about you.
See, yonder are Will and John Crowds on the
ice. Run along and keep them company, 1
want to talk with Mrs. Brown"
The boy picked up his little cap, and went
off without another word. Mrs. Grey turned
to her visitor.
"Isn't he queer child 2" she asked.
The other raised her sad eyes, and fixed
them with such painful expression on the
mothers face, that Cor moment Mrs. Grey
felt almost offended. She was a sorrowful
looking woman, this Mrs. Brown.
''1 had a son once; but he is gone now"
she said at last, and there were tears in her
tones.
Mrs. Grey gazed at her wanderingly. She
had not known this before.
'.lt is bitter thing to tear open partially
healed wounds" Mrs. Brown continued
''But let me tell you my story
"Several years ago, l was about to give a
party; grand affair it was to be, aud my
head was almost turned while making prepa.
rations. My Willie (bis name was Willie,
too,) was about sixteen years old. He had
never been to school; L had educated him
myself. AT home, he was all mother heart
could desire; but he was shy, and when 1
forced him into company he appeared SO awk.
ward, that l often felt ashamed of him. This
was one reason of my deciding to give party.
If he was obliged to act the part of host be
would overcome his bashfuIness, 1 thought.
But Willie never approved of it.
81 shall be SO glad when that party is
over" he said ono day; ''for since you have
got it into your head. L have lost my mother"
''PoOr little baby !" I responded, slightly
provoked at his lack of interest. II wonder
my apron strings"
| spoke sneeringly, and proud flush in
stautly overspread his face.
81 will be tied there no longer" he re-
turned, al will seek other company in the
future"
l was frightened at the result Of nv
words. Still made no response. My son
putting on his coat and hat, went out. 1t
was the first time in his life he had ever left
me without informing me where he was going.
In good time the party came off 1t was
q 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 we're neglected, and his days as wall =
his evenings were spent abroad. Esst
men became his constant companions. L
left alone 70 mourn over the change htll
wrought. AT first, he made it rule to be II
at night at ten O'Clock ). but after time, lie
began to stay out later; and dsybreak sonse<
times found him from home. l tried to ex,
postulate, tried to win him back to his old
habits, but my efforts were unavaiiinR. He
had got taste of new life, and it held him
by charm. Well do remember the first
night that he came home in a state of intoxis
cation. 1t was his seventeenth birth>day. lust
year from the time had given the party.
had seen him under the influence of wine
once or twice before but on this night he had
drunk SO deeply, that some of his companions
had to help him homo.
The hours of that night we're dreadful
hours of self-reproach and agony. was SO
glad when morning came to dispel the gloom
so glad when reason returned to nv errinp
child. he was very much ashamed. He
said again and again he Wonld 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, sguandered all my ready
money, and, when l refused to mortgage nv
property, that he might have more, he left me
With an oath. That night large firm was
robbed aud it was discovered that Willie was
one OF the perpetrators of the deed. The
next morning the town was wild with excite>
ment, aud was almost crazed with anxiety.
for my boy had fed. The news was passed
from mouth to mouth my house was searched
and my son called a villain but 1 had no
power to prevent either. No one gave me
word of sympathy.
You have only yourself to blame" said
blunt old woman, who called during the day.
,'The boy was happy at home, but you drove
him into bad company.
That night, at he hour of twelve, rs L sat
alone, window was opened softly, and Willie
stepped into the room. With glad cry
sprang toward him; but he pushed me rudely
away.
''Can you hide me anywhere ?" he said
''The hounds are after me. Had you given