The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1875-10-21
A STORY FOR MOTHERS
"Willie; why don't you go and play
with the boys, and not be forever stuck

Willie, Huy uOu Sou w d1io pay
with the boys, and not be forever stuck
at-ny feet ~ ~ -
Such was Mrs. Gray's impatient cues
tion, one day when her little son came
and seated himself in the parlor, when
his mother was conyersing with visitor.
"I would rather be with you than with
the boys,p he answered, timidly.
kt0h, never saw such baby ~
els il wrong to wish to be near you,
mother?" said the child. and his neither
lip trembled as, he spoke az yr
'"Wrong !? Of course not But you are
old enough to hays some manliness about
YOU. See, yonde. are viii and John
Gowdy on the ice. Run. aong and keep
them company; / want to talk to Mrs
Bspwn.n fJ;.,
Gray.
The other raised her sad eyes, and fixed
them with such painful expression on
the mothers face, that for o moment Mrs
Gray almost felt offended. She was
very sorrowful looking woman, this Mrs.
Brown. q ,E-3 s Ss5 -
sI had a son once, but he's gone now"
she said at last, and there were tears in
-her eyesA = Il
y MIS-. Gray gazed at her wonderingly.
She had not known this before.
= tIt is bitter thing to tear open par
!. tally healed wounds. Mrs. Brown con-
tinued; tabat- letsme tell you my story"
Several years ago, was about to give,
party; grand affair it was to be, and
my head was almost turned while max
: ing preparations. My Willie (his name
was Willie, too) was about Is years old.
He had never been to school, l had edu-
Gated him myself. At home, he was all
a mothers heart could desire but he
s.sts Shy, and when l forced him into
company, he appeared so awkward, that
I often felt ashamed of him. This was
one reason of my deciding to give q
party. If he was obliged to act the part
Of host he would overcome his bashfui-
ness, thought. But Willie mover ap-
proved of it.
~ shall be so glad when the party is
over" he said one day "for since you
have get it into your head, have lost
my mother"
Poor little baby~ I Responded, slight
IL provoked at his lack of interest. II
wonder how many more yeans shall have
you tied to my apron string =
spoke saeeringly, and proud flash
instantly overspread his face.
II will be tied there no longer" he re-
sponded; ~ will seek ether company in
the future"
was frightened at the result Of my
words. Still I made no response. My
SON, putting on his coat and hat, went
g ont. It was the first time in his life ne
had ever gone out without informing me
where he was going. >.
In good time the party came OF. 1t
was q gay affair, and none were gayer
than Willie. He was sort of an ex-
tremist. and took no medium stand. AT
ter that. his books and work were neglec-
ted, and his days, as well as evenings,
were spsnt abroad. Fast young men
became his constant companions. l was
Left alone to mourn over the change had
wroughs: At first he made it rule to
be in at night at ten O'Clock, but after q
time he began TO stay out later; and
dsy-break sometimes found him from
home. ] tried to expostnlate, tried to
win him back to his old habits, but my
efforts were unavailing. He had got o
taste of new hfe, and 1t held him by q
charm. Well do I remember the first
night he came home in state Of lntoxi.
cation. 1t was his seventeenth birthday.
iust year srom the time gave the par
ty. Ihad seen him under the influence
of wine once or twice before, but on thls
occasion he drank so deeply that some OF
his companions had to help him home.
The hours of that night were dreadful
hours of self-reproach and agony. was
so glad when morning came to dlspel the
gloom-so glad when reason returned'ttt
INV erring child. He was very much
ashamed. He said again and again ne
would do better but his resolves were
worthless. Two nights later he was
again brought home intoxicated. Attel
that it was a commm occurrence. He
fell lower and lower, squandered all my
ready money, and when I refused t. ttt
mortgage my property, that he might
have more, he left me with an oath.
That night a large firm was robbed
and it was discovered Chat Willie was one
of the perpetrators of the deed. The
next morning the town was alive with
exoiteIrent, and I almost crazed with
anxiety, for my boy had fled. The news
passed from mouth to mouth my house
was searched, and my son called VII
lain.; but I had no power to prevent