Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1877-03-27
A Touching Story.

The following narrative purports to
have been given by father to his son,
as warning derived from his own bit
ter experience of grieving and resisting
mothers love and counsel.
What agony was visible on my moth
er's face when she saw that all she said
and suffered failed to move me! She rose
to go home and followed at distance.
She spoke no more to me till she reach
ed her own door.
''It is school time now" said she.
"Go, my son, and once more let me be-
seech you to think upon what I have
said"
II shan't go to school," said I.
She looked astonished at my GOODNESS
but replied firmly
mand you."
81 will not" said I, in a tone of def
ance.
'One of two things you must do, Al
fred-either go to school this morning
or [ will lock you in your room ant
keep you there till you are ready to pro
mise implicit obedience to my wishes in
the future.
II dare you TO do it you can't get mt
"Alfred, choose now" said my mother
who laid her hand upon my arm. She
trembled violently and was deadly pale
eff you touch me I'll kick YOU" said
I, in terrible rage. God knows [ knew
not what said.
Twill you go Alfred ?"
mo" 1 replied, but quailed beneath
her eye.
"Then follow me-" she said as she
grasped my arm firmly.
r moi IL L
me II raised my foot and kicked her
my sainted mother! How my head reels
as the torrent Of memory rushes over
me! kicked my mother feeble wo-
mainly mother! she staggered back a
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 he
does.n
The gardner just then passed the
door, and seeming nay mother pale and
almost unable to support herself, stop
ped. She beckoned him in.
''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 moment found myselfa prison
er in my own room. I thought for a
moment that I wouldifing myself out OF
the open window and dash my brains
out, but felt afraid to do It'll was not
penitent. At times my heart was sub
dued; but my stubborn pride rose in an
instant and babe me not yield. The
oln 70 Of fo1
flung myself on the bed and fell asleep
just at twilight heard a footstep APP
proach the door. 1t was my sister.
"What may tell mother for you 2"
she asked.
Nothing" [ replied.
"Oh, Alfred! for my sake, for all our
sakes, say that you are sorry. She longs
to forgive you"
would not answer. Iheard her foot
steps slowly retreating, and again I
threw myself on the bed to pass another
wretched and fearful night.
Another fOotstep slower and feebler
than my sisters disturbed me. A voice
called me by name. 1t was my moth
er's.
"Alfred, my son, shall I come ?" she
asked.
I cannot tell what influence operat-
ing at that moment, made me speak ad-
verse to my feelings. The gentle voice
of my mother melted my obdurate heart
and thrilled through me, and I longed
to throw myself on her neck, but did
not. But my words gave the tie to my
heart when | said that was not sorry.
I heard her withdraw. I heard her
groan. 1 longeI to call her back But
I did not.
[ was awakened from an uneasy slum
Der by hearing my name loudly called
and my sister stood at my bedside.
Get up, Alfred. Oh, don't wait
minute !iGet up, come with me. Mother
is dying!n q
thought was yet dreaming, but I
got up mechanically and followed my
sister. On the sbed, and as cold as mar
BILE, lay my mother. She was not I'M
dressed. She had thrown herself on
the bed to rest arising to go again to
me she seized was with palpitation of the
heart, and borne senseless to her room.
1 cannot tell you with what agony I
looked upon her; my remorse was ten
fold greater from the fact that she would
never know it.
I believe myself to be her murderer.
[ fell on the bed beside her. 1 could not
weep. My heart burned in my bosom
my brain was on fire. My sister threw