The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1881-05-05
trembled violently, and was deadly pale.
"Will you 60, Alfredo
"NO :" / replied, butuuailed before her


How my head reels as the torrent of
memory rilshes over me! I kicked nv
mother-a feeble woman-1ny mother
She staggered back q few steps and
leaned against the wall. She did not
look at me. / saw her heart beat
against her breast go, Heavenly Father"
she cried, "forgive him he knows not
what he does" The gardener Just then
passed the door, and seeing my mother
pale aud almost unableto 10 support II .rself,
he stopped; she beckoned him in.
Take this boy up stairs and lock him
in his room," said she, and turned from
me. Looking back, as she gave me such
look-it viii forever follow me. Il was
look of agony, mingled with the inten.
sest loye-it was the last unutterable
pang from heart that was broken.
Iu moment found myself prisoner
in my own room. I thought for mo-
ment l could fling myself from the win
dow, and dash my braius out, but felt
afraid to die. l was not penitent. At
times my heart was subdued, but my
stubborn pride rose instantly and bade me
not to yield. The pale face Of my mother
haunted me. flung myself on the bed,
and fell asleep. l woke at midnight,
stiffened and terrified with frightful
dreams.
would have sought my mother at that
moment, for trembled with fear, but
my door was fast. With the day light
Ty te:rors were dismissed, and became
bold in resisting all good impulses. The
servant brought my meals, but lid
not tase them. though. the day
would never end. Just at twilight I
heard light footstepapproach my door,
1t was my sister who called me by name.
What may | tell mother from you ?"
she asked.
"Nothingw replied.
20, Alfred, for my cake and all our
sakes, say that you are sorry. She longs
10 forgive you"
81 won't be driven to school against
my will" said.
"But you will go ifshe wishes it, dear
Alfred" said my sister pleadingly.
"No, won't, y said ], "and you needn't
say word more about it."
20, brother, you will kill her. n. d
then you can never havo a happy
moment"
made no reply to this. My feelings
were touched, but | still resisted their
influence. My sister called me, but I
would not answer heard her footsteps
slowly retreating, and again I flung my
self on the bed TO pass another wretched
and fearful night O,God, how wretc!. ed
and fearful do not know.
Another footstep, slower and feebler
than my sisters disturbed me. A voice
called me by name. 1t was my mother's
"Alfred, my son, shall come in ? are
you sorry for what YOU have done ?" she
asked.
Icannot tell what influence operating at
that moment, made mc speak adverse to
my feelings. The gentle voice of mother
that thrilled through me, melted the ice
from my obdurate heart, and l longed to
throw myaelf on her neck, but I did not.
No, my boy did not. But my words
gave the lie to my heart, when said I
was not sorry. heard her withdraw. l
heard her groan. longed to call her
but did not.
was awakened from an uneasy slum-
Der by hearing my name called loudly,
and my sister stood beside my bed
Get ups Alfred 0. don't wait q mo-
ment Get up aud come with me.
Mother is dying"
I thought l was dreaming, but got up
mechanically, and followed my sister. On
the bed, pale and cold as marble, lay my
mother. She had not undressed, but had
thrown herself on the bed to rest. Aris.
ing to go again to me, she wns seized
with palpitation of the heart, and borne
senseless to her room.
I cannot tell you my agony rs I looked
upon her-.my remorse was tenfold
more bitter from the fact that che would
never know it. believed myself mur-
derer. I fell 81! the bed heaide her-I
could not weep; my heart burned in my
bosom my brain was all on fire. MY
sister threw her arms around me and
wept IN silence. Suddenly we saw q
Rlight motion OF my mothers hand-her
eyes unclosed. She had recovered con-
seriousness but not speech-she looked at
me and moved her lips. l could uo:aSiicv-
stand her words. Mother, 4Iother," I
shrieked, "say only that you forgive mo-"
She could not say with her lips, but her
hand,preased mine. She smiled upon me,
and lifting her thin, white hands, clasped
mine with them, and cast her eyes up
ward. She moved her lips in prayer,
and q ns she died | remained still
kneeling beside that dear form till my
gentle sister removed me. She comfor-
ted me, for she knew the heavy load of
SO1tOW III NY htdtIJ EeuVleT JUnu sQo
grief for tho loss ofa mother; for it was
n load of sorrow for sin. Thejoy Of youth
had left me forever.
My son, suffering, Us such memories
awake, must continue Rs long as life.
God is merciful, but tho remorse of past
misdeeds is canker.worm in the heart,
that preYs upon it forever.
My father ceased speaking and buried
his face IL his hands. He saw and felt
the bearing his narrative had upon my
character and conduct. l have never
forgotten it. Boys who spurn their
mothers control, who are ashamed to
own that they are wrong, who think it
manly to resist the authority, or yield to
her influence, bewarel Lay not up for
yourself bitter memories for your future
years.
Though the boy who reads this may
not have kicked bis mother, yet let him
think if he has neverg given his mother or
father some unkind words, or been dis.
obedient to their wishes in many ways.
Boys, beware obey your parents in all
things, for God his commanded it; and
remember that disobedience to your
parents is sin against Godl
GUANo FUN.-The Hawkinsville, Ga,
Dispatch tells the following anecdotes
"Somo dayS since n pIIano a1ent in