Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1875-01-19
:
ri MiScELlAAE Gus.
A TOUCHING STORY.

K
perience of tho sin Of growing and resisting
a mothers love and counsel.
Whatshguny was visible on her face when
she saw that all she said aud suffered failed
to move me. She rose to 20 homo aud fol-
lowed at distance. She spoke no more to
me until she reached her own door.
"lts school time now" sho said s'Go nv
son, aud once more let me beseach you to
think upon n4what have said"
Il, shan't go to school" said.
She looked astonishcd at my boldness, but
replied firmly:
"CSrtaiHly you will go, Alfred command
you" Z, s
t"Iiwill not" said 7, in tone of defiance.
'sOqe of these two things you must do.
Alfred, either go to school this morning or
will lock you in your room and keep you there
till you are ready to promise implioi, obedience
to my wishes in the future"
"a ''.l dare you to do it,, said I you can't
get me up stairs"
''Alfred, choose" said my mother, who
laid hor hand upon my arm.
She trcmblcd violently, and was deathly
"If you touch me will kick you" I said,
in a terrible rage. God knows knew not
what | said.
"Will you 60 Alfred 2"
u. "No !" I replied, but quailed beneath her
eyes. nc
"Thon follow me-" sbo said, as she graspod
T raised my foot-oh, my SOD, hear me /!
raised my foot and kicked her-my sainted
mother! How my head reels as the torrent
of memory rushcs over mo. ] kicked my
mothcr-a feeble woman-my mother! She
staggered back few steps and leaned against
the wall. Size did not look at INC. saw
her hear, beat against her breast.
a1'Oh, Heavenly Father! - che said, ''fots
give, him,77Sie knows not what he docs"
Tho gardner just then passed the door, and
seeing my mother pale, and almost unaba to
support herself he stopped. She bcckoncd to
him. .i#f Sc --f
q I'Tske this boy up stairs, and lock him up
in his room, she said, and turned from mo-
Hooking back as shc was entering her room,
she gnve u look of agony mingled with intense
love! ii was the last .unuterablc pang from u
heart that was broken.
- p found myself prisoner in my own room.
I thought. for a moment, | would fling NY
self from the open window and dash my brains
out, but was afraid to do it. l was penitcnt.
AT times my heart was suhdued but my
stubborn pride rose in an instance aud bade
E mo not yield. I flung myself on the bed and
fell asleep. Just ut twilight heard foot.
eUCp hpprOacn IRE UOor. IL was my sSter.
:Di "What may tell mother from you? ?" she
asked 60 a
II tNothiug?" I replied.
1"Oh. Alfred, for my sake. and for all our
saics, say that you are sorry. She longs to
forgive you"
70 would not answer. I heard her footsteps
slowly retreating, and again threw myself
upon the bed. to pass another fearful night.
q. Another fontstep, slower and feeblor than
my sisters disturbed me. II was my mothers.
"Alired. NY son, shall | come T. she asked.
I.canDot Tell you what influence, operating at
that momoht,m ,me dc me speak adverse to my feel.
ines. The gentle voice of my mother thrilled
through mo, melting the ice Of my obduratc
heart. and longed to throw myself upon her
neck, but did not But my words gave the
+ lie to my heart when said was not sorry
i heard her withdraw. l heard her Croan
l longed TO call her back but 1 did not
was awakened from my uneasy slumbers
by hearing my name called loudly, and my
sister stood at my bedside.
"Get. up and come with me, mother is
dying"
Ithought was yet dreaming. but got up
mechanically and followed my sister.
On the bed, pale and cold as marble; lay
mother.
She had not undressed sho had thrown
herself on the bed to rest rising TO go sgsin
to me, she was seized with palpitation of tho
heart and borne senseless to the room.
'dI cannot tell with what agony looked
upon her; my remorse was more bitter from
the thought tina. she would never know it.
+ believed myself to be her murderer; | fell
on the bed beside her. l could not weep.
My heart burned in my bosom my brain was
t1on FIRE. Ny sister threw her arms around
me and then commenced to weep iD silence.
! Suddenly we saw q slight motion of mothers
hand her eyes uDelosed. She had recovered
consciousness, but not speech. She looked
at me and moved her lips. could not un-
derstaud her words.
Smother. .motberig shrieked, "say only
that you forgive me r.
III. She could not sayit with her lips, but her
hand pressed mine. ~. '..S. -,
es She smiled upon me- and lifting her thin
white hands she clasped my Own within them,
and cast her eyes upward. She moved her
lips in prayer. and thus she died. 1rsmaiued
kneeIing beside that dear form. till my geDtIe
sister removed me. The joys of youth had z
left me forever.
boys who spurn mothers control, who
are.ashamed TO owu that they are wrong. who
.tbinkit u,aulyito resist her authority, or yield
es to her influence, beware Lay not up for
yourselves bitter memories for future years.
5sl-.A Aquser old chap has nickuamed his