Middletown transcript., 1877-05-19
Stlett gtorp.
A TOUCHING STORY

The following affecting narrative pur-
ports to have been given by father to
his son, as a warning derived from bis
own bitter experience of grieving and
resisting a mothers love aud counsel
What agony was visible on my mo-
theirs face when she saw that all she
said and suffered failed to move me
She rose to go home and I followed at
distance She spoke no more to me
till she reached her own door
1T is school time now" said She
go my son, and once more let me be-
seeeh you to think upon what l have
said
II shan't go to school," said |.
She looked astonished at my cool
ness, but replied firmly
Certainly you will go, Alfred, 1
command you"
II will not, said I, in a tone of de-
fance
Zone Of two things you must do,
Alfred-either 60 to school this morn-
ing, or / will lock you in your room
and keep you there till you are ready
to promise implicit obedience to my
wishes in the future"
81 dare you to do it; you can't get
me up stairs F"
"Alfred, choose now," said my mo-
ther, who laid her hand upon my arm.
She trembled violently and was deadly
pale
If you touch me I'll kick you, said
l, in a terrible rage God knows
knew not what I said.
"Will you 60, Alfred 2"
mo" replied, but quailed beneath
her eye.
"Then follow me" she said, as she
grasped my arm firmly.
l raised my foot--oh, my son, hear
me II raised my foot and kicked her
my sainted mother! How my head
reels as the torrent of memory rushes
over me! 1 kicked my mother, fee
Bile woman-my mother she staggered
back few steps and leaned against the
wall She did not look at mel saw
her heart beat against her breast
"Oh, Heavenly Father said she,
forgive him-he knows not what be
does
The gardener just then passed the
door, and seeing my mother pale and
almost unable to support herself, stop |
ped. She beckoned him on
"Take this boy up stairs, lock him
up in his room," said she. and turned
from me Looking back as she was
entering her room, she gave such look
Of agony mingled with the most intense
love-it was the most unutterable pang
from a heart that was broken,
In a moment I found myself priso-
ner in my own room l thought for a
that I would fling myself out of
he open window and dash my brains
,ut, but l felt afraid to do i'll was
lot penitent At times my heart was
'ubdued but my stubborn pride rose
q an instant and bade me not yield.
The pale face Of my mother haunted
me- 1 flung myself on the bed and fell
sleep
Just at twilight | heard a footstep
approach the door It was my sister.
"What may I tell mother for you n
he asked
Nothing" I replied
"Oh, Alfred for my sake, for all
'ur sakes, say that you are sorry. She
ongs to forgive you"
| would not answer, [ heard her foot !
teps slowly retreating, and again
brew myself on the bed, to pass an
ther wretched and fearful night
Another footstep slower and feebler {
han my sisters disturbed me A voice
allied me by name It was my mothers.
ALFRED, my son, shall | come 2" she
sked.
I cannot tell what influence, operat-
ng at that moment, made me speak ad-
erse to my feelings The gentle voice 5
t my mother melted my obdurate heart
nd thrilled through me, and I loDged
0 throw myself on her neck, but I did e
OF But my words gave the lie to my /
cart when I said that I was not sorry. '