The daily gazette., 1876-07-12
A Story for Young Men,

10 a., tnat is fell In with q crowd of
professed friends who drank, swore,
and cared nothing for mortality in
general. At first held back; l had
not been used to 1t; but could not
Withstand the sneering laugh of nv
b, companions which always greeted me
when l refused to join in any of their
wicked acts, and by degrees became
very reckless. 1t makes me shudder
even now to think of it. had never
been blessed with sisters love-I re
sided with my mother in this village
OF about four hundred inhabitants.
Many night when would 90 reeling
home from the shop at the north end
OF the town, l would find my dear
mother watching for her son-listen.
ing If perchance she could catch the
sound OF his unsteady step. Many a
time did l waken from my drunken
slumber and hear that fond mother
sending up u petition to God in behalf
OF her Incorporate son. Oh! what a
wretch L was. knew that ! was
bringing down her gray hairs in sor-
row to the grave. She began to look
aged and careworn; but l kept on in
my sinful ways until circumstance
occurred to stop me from pursuing my
downward and destructive career.
L was starting one evening to the
grog shop when | suddenly remember
ed that had spent all my money in
that place the night before. l remem
bered also that l had seen my mother
put few pennies (her hard earnings)
In a cup that day. was tempted? /
tried to resist, but my appetite was too
strong. l Sill ped cautiously 10 the
cupboard, removed the money from
te cup, deposited it in my pocket, and
was starting from the house as mother
entered, | did not turn my head, for
l felt guilty-guilty of what never
was before-a thief. My mother call.
ed me; there was something in her
voice that l could not resist.
"What is it, mother ?" said l.
"Oh! Williet do stay at home with
me tonight" she exclaimed grdsping
my hand in both of hers. "Don't
drink tonight. take my advice Just
once"
Oh! how many times l have wished
that had taken her advice that night,
But | consoled her by telling her that /
would not stay long. wended INV
way to the grogoshop; but my mothers
words, "Oh! Willie! do stay at home
with me tonight" kept ringing in my
ears far louder than the drunken oaths.
and for once did not stay what cal
led late; but when l reached home the
bells in the neighboring city were tol
ling midnight.
A strange feeling seized me as ap-
preached my home. The light was
placed in the window as usual to guide
the wanderers steps. l went to the
window and looked in. There sat nv
mother in her easy chair, her eyes
were closed as though she slept. Her
face was pale, but it was always that.
l tried to chase my fears away as l
went round to the door, my hand
trembled when 1 laid it on the latch,
and 1t thrilled my very heart when it
arose with sharp click. never had
such feeling before. I entered, be.
helo In her hand the very cup from
w6ich l had removed the money. l
laid my hand on mothers shoulder and
spoke to her. She moved not; spoke
louder, still no answer. laid her gent.
~ on the bed, got water and bathed
her forehead, Reader, imagine my
Joy when | saw that my dear mother
opened her eyes.
"Oh, mother" cried 1 "forgive me.
U, forgive your erring boy"
~ do" was the answer.
A heavenly smile Int up her face.
Meet me in heaven, Willie"
by the grace of God, 1 will"
And my mothers spirit had fled to
God who gave it.
IL is not necessary to prolong the de.
scrlptlon OF the mournful scene. Suffice
1t to say that from that moment was
a changed man, snatched as it were
from the burning. Since that time not
one drop of whiskey, wine, or anything
OF she Kind has ever passed my lips,
ana py the strength given me from
above aeuer DW.