Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1877-03-22
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Il Stcf aSh aVoAf4 HaStes
L had grown reckless afterI moved to
M; that is, fell in with crowd Of
professed friends, who drank, swore,
aud cared nothing for morality in gen.
eral.
st first, I held back; I had not been
used to it; but / could not Withstand
the sneering laugh Of my companions
which always greeted me when 1 re-
fused to join in any of their wicked acts.
and by degrees I became very reckless.
1t makes me shudder even now to
think oft. 1 have never been blessed
with a sisters love.
resided with my mother in this
village of about four hundred inlabi-
tants.
Many night when Iwould 90 reel
ing home from the shop at the north
end of the town, I would find my dear
mother watching for her son-listening
if perchance she could catch the sound
of his unsteady step.
Many time cid I waken from my
drunken slumbers and hear that fond
mother sending up petition to God in
behalf Of her Incorporate son.
Oh! what a wretch I was.
knew that I was bringing down her
gray hairs in sorrow to the grave.
She began to look aged and careworn;
but I kept on in my sinful ways until a
circumstance occurred to stop me in my
downward career.
was starting OUT one evening to the
grog-shop, when I suddenly remember
ed thatI had spent all my money at
that place the evening before.
remembered also that I had seen
mother put a few pennies Cher hard
earnings in cup that day.
| was tempted! I tried toresist but
my appetite was too strong.
Islipped cautiously to the cupboard,
removed the money from the cup, de-
posted it in my pocket, and was start
ing from the house when my mother
entered.
| I did not turn my head for feltgdl-
ty-guilty ofwhat I never was before
theft.
lily mother called ne; there was
something in l,er voice which I could
not resist.
"What is it, mother::" said [.
"Oh, Willie. do stay at home with
me Tonight" she exclaimed. grasping
/ my hand in both of hers. Don't
drink tonight; take my advice just
once"
OF! how many times since have
wished that l Ind taken her advice That
nigh.
But I consoleajer ny sa-5.9e - lAat
l would not stay long.
wended my way totho cz74-.l'og !;
but mothers words:
Sch! Willie! do stay at home with
ME tonight" kept ringing in my cars
far louder Than the drunken oaths, and
for once 1 did not stay what called
late; but when I reached home the bells
in the neighbcring city were toliing the
midnight hour,
A strange feeling seized me rs 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 my
mother in her easy-cha1r her eyes were
closed and l thought she slept. Her
face was pale, but it was always that.
tried to chase my fears away as l
went around to the door; my hand
trembled when | laid it on the latch.
and it thrilled my heart when it rose
with sharp click. I had never such
feeling before. I entered; I beheld in
my mothers hand the very cup from
which I had removed the money. L
laid my hand on mothers shoulder and
spoke to her. She moved not, 1 spoke
louder, still no answer. listened, but
could not hear her breathe. I laid her
gently on the bed, brought water, and
bathed her White forehead. Reader,
imagine my Joy when that dear mother
opened her eyes.
"Oh, mother"' cricdI, forgive ne,
Oh, forgive your erring boy" ~
Il DO, was the answer.
a heavenly smile lit up her face. 50
| Nicotine in heaven, Willie"
''By tie grace of God, [ will" @
t And my mothers spirit had fled to
God who gave it.
| 1t is not necessary Tor me to prolong
the description Of the mournful scene.
Suffice it to say that from that moment
| was changed man-snatched as 4
brand from the burning, Since that
time not one drop of whiskey, wine or
anything Of the kind has passed my lips,
and by help and strength given me from
above, never Will.
! -----zS .c,s-Sz-~---------
The shock Of railroad disaster. Ike
that of Ashtabula, upon the nervous
system OF a survivor, must be some
thing terrible. A glimpse of its effects
IS seen in the caae Of conductor Hem,
who was in charge of the train which
went through the bridge, end who went
on duty again for the first time last
week. A passenger who was on his
train when he went over the new bridge
for The first time, told . Toledo Com
mercial reporter that he noticed that as
the train neared the bridge HEM seem