The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1882-07-28
miscellaneous.
A Touching Story.

The following affecting narrative purports
to have been given by II father 10 his sons as
a warning derived from his own bitter cx.
pericnce, of the sin of resisting II mothers
love and counsel
What agony was on my mothers face
when all that she had said and suffered failed
to move me. She rose 10 80 home, and
followed at distance. She spoke to me no
more until she reached her own door.
at is school time now" she said--"Go. my
son, and once more let me bcseech you Ia
think upon what ! have said,
II shun't 30 to school" said !.
She looked astonished 1T my hOldnrSs, but
replied firmly:
"Ccrtainly you will, Alfred {! | command
you"
II will not, said |.
"Onc of two things you must do, Al
tred-either go to school this minute,
or will lock you up in your room, and keep
you there until you promise implicit ODE
dience to my wishes in the future"
II dare you to do it, said | "you can't get
me up stairs"
ALFRED, choose now," said my mother,
who laid her hand upon my arm. She trem.
bled violently and was deadly pale
"If you touch me will kick you" said
in fearful rage. God knows ] knew not
what said
will you go, Alfred ?"
NO y replied, but quailed beneath her
eyes.
Then follow me-" said she, as she grasp.
ed my arm firmly. raised my foot
30, my son, hear me-" cried she-l raised
my foot and kicked her-my sainted mother.
How my head reels as the torrent of memory
rushcs over me kicked my mother, feeble
woman-my mother she staggered back n
Il a.
did not look ut me. | saw her heart beat
against her breast so, Heavenly Father :"
she cried, forgive him-he knows not what
he does" The gardener just then passing
the door, and seeing my mother was pale and
almost unable to support herself, came in
Take this boy up stairs and lock him in
his room said she, and turned eff from me-
1t was look of agony, mingled with the
most intense love; it was the unutterabc
pang from heart that was broken.
In moment found myselfa prisoner in
my own room. thought for a moment |
would fling myself from the open window,
but felt that was afraid to die was not
penitent. At times my heart was subdued
but my stubbornness rose in an instant, and
babe me not yield yet. The pale face of my
bed and fell asleep. Just at twilight heard
footstep approach my door 1t was my
sister,
what shall tell mother for your she
said
"Nothing" replied.
40, Alfred, for my sake and for all our sakes
say that you are sorry. She longs to forgive
you
| would not answer heard her footsteps
slowly retreating, and again flung myself on
the bed to pass wretched and u fearful
night
Another footstep, slower and more feeble
than my sisters, disturbed me.
Alfred, my son, shall come in 2" She
asked.
| can not tell what influence operating mt
that moment made me speak adverse to my
feelings. The gentle voice of my mother,
that thrilled me, melted the ice from my heart,
and longed to throw myself upon her neck
but did not. My words gave the lie to my
heart when said | was not sorry ! heard
her withdraw. heard her groan. | long
ed to call her back. but | did not.
81 was awakened from IN uneasy slumber
by hearing my name called loudly, and my
sister stood by my bedside"
"Get up, Alfred. Don't wait minute Get
up and come with me. Mother is dying"
thought was yet dreaming, but got up
mechanically and followed my sister On
=
She had not yet undressed She had thrown
herself upon the bed to rest and rising to go
again to me she was seized with palpitaion
of the heart, and borne TO her room.
| cannot tell you my agony as | looked
upon her-remorse was ten.fold bitter from
the thought that she would never know it
| believed myself to be her murderer. / fell
on the bed beside her | could not weep
My heart burned within my bosom, my brain
was on fire. My sister threw her arms
around me and wept in silence. Suddenly
we saw a motion of mothers hand her eyes
Enclosed She had recovered her conscious
ness, but not her speech She looked at me
and moved her lips | could not understand
her words