Saint Mary's beacon. [volume] (Leonard Town, Md.) 1867-1983, 1875-08-05
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'Hsvs you anything Of impoetaneo
10 eommunioate-any unp1easant Il.
dings Of my boy 2" / answered that
had. He motioned me to . seat, asked
his wife to close the door, threw himself
into . large armchair, facing me, and
then with great agitation bade me, sssay
on" His wife stood behind him, rest
ing her head upon her hand, and both
fixed their eyes upon me with . lock
which perfectly unmanned me H
sUnlae wrong thoee parents with tne
bitter anguish which my own revelation
Of their sons conduct must produce ?
1t was . severe trial. but it was duty,
and after q few moments' silence,
told them all as gently a. I could. As
I stopped speaking the father sprang
to his feet, vehemently exclaiming:
"What Sir, you say that my son has
been stealing books 2"
I answered, as calmly a. I could, "He
has,"
"Does he acknowledge it, sir p
"He does"
Turning, he said, hastily, "Wife,
ring that bell" She did 80; q servant
came of whom he inquired, "Where ID
H" and added, "tell him to come
to me-"
As the boy entered the room he looked
daggers at me. His father noticed it,
and spoke in q loud voice:
"What does this mean, sirp Come
here. Have YOU really been taking
books from the city bookstore %
The boy trembling, replied, 81 have
sir"
"You have. Why? Had you not
books enough unread at home? And
if you had asked, would l not have
gratified you to any reasonable ex-
tent?"
eyes, SIR"
"why then, did you steal them"
"For fun, sir"
"For fun! for fun" repeated his
father.
what! Boy, could you thus triAe
with my good name-and your own
for fun ?"
He lifted his voice and raised his
arm, and I feared that, in his excite.
ment, he would strike terrible blow;
but suddenly checking himself, he cried
out:
"Go to the garret, sir-go, 60 and
stay there until send for yonr"
The boy ran hurriedly out and up the
stairs, the father listening until be
heard him enter and close the room
door, then fell back into his chair,
clutched his hair with his hands, and
with scalding tears running down his
checks exclaimed:
II had rather heard, sir, that he was
dead. Oh, God! Oh. Godw
The mothers head lay on the back
of the chair as she also wept in bitter
ness of soul. 1t was q terrible scene;
but what could I say to comfort those
anguish-stricken hearts l quietly
rose and bade them farewell.
eyes, sir" saidthe father, ''leave us
now. Tomorrow Twill see you, and we
will consult as to what is best to be
done.
The next day he called and placed in
my hands money to pay for all damages
done to the volumes, which the book.
sellers had kindly permitted me to re.
turn. At his request made inquiries
respecting another school for his son
But that boy would not bear the res.
traints of any institution.
he would not hearken to his parents
voice or obey their authority. He be.
came very dissipated and soon fell a
victim to disease induced by sinful in.
diligence.
Parents, read this short sketch, to the
letter true, and call to mind the fa.
tai mistake in the case of this poor youth
Be assured that your sons cannot safely
be absent from their homes after night
It has been said that Satan accomplish.
es the ruin of more souls between eight
o'clock p. NJ, and midnight than du'
ring all the remaining hours of the
twenty-four. MY experience rs teach.
er of nearly forty years, and Of hun.
dreds of youths, testifies, that it is true
Watch carefully the associations and
the companions of your sons. keeT
an eve over their hours of play. Make
their homes pleasant and keep then
there after night lest an hour com,
when you may wish them dead.