The Cheyenne daily leader. [volume] (Cheyenne, Wyo.) 1870-1884, 1878-05-11
/. a Story for Young Men.


I had grown reckless after I moved tc
N. that lie, 1 fell in with O crowd o
Fgc:esgc3 friends. who drank, swore, ant
Sased nothing for morality in general. A;
tIst. I helG bA,k Ind not been used I,
i: bu; 1 coild 10: Withstand the snoring
laugh OF my companions which always
CRESTED me when 1 refused to join in any OF
their wicked acts, and by degrees / became
very reckless. 1t makes me shudder ever
now to think OF it. I had never beer
hi=sssa with e sisters love. Presided with
ny wo;h-r In This village Of about fou
l,undred hIhabitants. Many q night wheI
l woald 50 Ece.LAg home from the shop
~ theNzorth cad of the town, / would
AID ny dear mother watching for her sol
-hs.ening IL perchAnce she could catch the
soani OF his unsteady step. Many o time
did l waken from my drunken slumbers
and hear that fond mother sending up o
petition TO God in behalf Of her incorporate
SON. ohi wha. a wretch 1 was. / knew
that was bringing down her grey hairs in
sorrow TO the grave. She began to look
aged and careworn but 1 kept on in my
sinful wEys until q circumstance occurred
to stop me in my downward career.
- Twas starting out one eveningto the grog
shop. when 1 suddenly remembered that !
had spent all my money at that place the
evening before. ! remembered also that I
had seen mother put a few pennies cher
hard esrnings) in a cup that day. pas
tempted ] tried to resist but my appetite
was too strong. Slipped cautiously to the
cupboard. removed the money from the
cup. deposited it in my pocket. and was
starting from the house. when my mother
entered. / did not turn my head for I felt
guilty-guilty Of what l never was before
"a theft. Ny mother called me; there
was something in her voice which I could
not resist.
What IL IL, mother z" said I.
"oh, Willie do stay at home with me
tonight" she exclaimed, grnsping my
hand in both Of hers. Don't drink to-
night take my advice just once"
4 Oh how many times since 1 have wished
that I had taken her advice that night.
But ] oonsoled her by telling her that I
would not stay long. I wendell my way to
the grog- shop but my mothers words
"oh. While do stay at home with me to-
night kept ringing in my ears far louder
than the drunken oGths, and for once I did
not stay what l called late but when !
reached homo the bells in the neighboring
city was tolling the midnight hour.
g \ strange fes!ing seiged me as I ap-
preached my home. The light was placed
In the window as usual to guide the wan.
derer's steps. I went to the window and
Locked in. There sat my mother in her
easy chsiri her eyes were closed and I
thought che slept. Her face was pale. but
it was always that. I tried to chase my
fears away as l went around to the door /;
my hand trembled when I laid 1t on the
latch. and it thrilled my very heart when it
arose With a sharp click. I had never
such feeling before. / entered; I beheld
IN my mothers hand the very cup from
which l had removed the money. I laid my
hand on mothers shoulder, and spoke to
her. She moved not; I spoke louder still
no answer. 1 listened. but could not hear
her breathe. l laid her gently on the bed.
brought water and bsthed her white fore
head. Reader. imagine my Joy when I saw
that dear mother open her eyes.
"oh. mother p cried I. forgive me. Oh,
forgive your erring boy"
II Go. was the answer.
4 heavenly smile lit up her face.
Meet me in Heaven, Willie"
0"By the grace OF God, I will"
CsAnd my mothers spirit had fed to God
who gave it.
It is not necessary for me to prolong the
description of the mournful scene. Suffice
it to cay that from that moment / was a
changed man-snstched as a brand from
tho burning. Sinee that time not one drop
Of whiskey. vine. or anything Of the kind
has passed my lips. and by help and
strength given me from above. nsrsr will