The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-11-13
THE TIMELY WARNING.
A THRILLING STORY.

Nv father, after an absence of three
years, returned to the house so dear to
him. He had made his last voyage, and
rejoiced to have reached haven cf rest
from the perils of the sea. During his
absence had grown from child and
babe of my mother's-for l was her
youngest-into a rough, careless, and
headstrong boy. Her gentle voice no
longerirestrained me. Twas often willful,
aud sometimes disobedient. I thought it
indicated manly superiority to be indie.
pendent of woman's influence. My
father'sreturn was fortunate circum.
stance for me. He soon perceived the
spirit Standardization stirring within
me. I Saw by his manner that it dis
pleased him, although for few days he
said nothing to me about it.
It was an afternoon in October, bright
and golden, that my. father told me to
get my Hat and take walk with him.
We turned down narrow lane into 3
fine open ield-a favorite play ground
for the children in the neighborhood.
After talking cheerfully on different
topics for a while, my father asked me if
1 observed that huge shadow thrown by
q mass of rocks that stood in the middle
of the field. l replied that I did.
"My father owned this land" said he.
"It was my playground when a boy.
That rock stood then. To me it is a
beacon, and whenever / look at it I recall
a dark spot in my life-an event so pain.
full to dwell upon, ,aif it we're not as
warning to you, l should not speak of 1T.
Listen then, my dear boy, and learn
wisdom from your fathers errors.
My father died when was mere
child. was the only son. My mother
was gentle, loving woman, devoted to
her children and beloved by everybody.
I remember her pale, beautiful face, her
sweet afsctionate smile, her kind and
tender voice. In my childhood / loved
her intensely. was never happy apart
from her, and she, fearing was becoming
too. much of q baby, sent me to the high
school in the village. After associating
for time with rude, rough boys, I lost
in measure, my fonaness for home and
my reverence for my mother; and it
became more and more difficult for her
to restrain my impetuous nature. l
thought it indicated want of manliness
to yield to her authority or to appear
rpenitent,. although know that my con-
duct panied her. The epithet most
dreaded was qirl boy. I could not bear
to hear it said by my companions that l
was tied to my mothers apron strings.
From aquiet, home loving child, soon
became,a wild, boisterous boys My dear
mother used every persuasion to induce
me to seek happiness within the precincts
of home. She exerted herself to make
our freside attractive, and my sister,
following her sacrificing example, sought
to entice line by planning games and
diversions for my entertainment. saw
all this, but did not heed it.
It was one afternoon like this that l
was about leaving the dining table, to
spend the intermission between morning
and evening school, in the streets as
usual, my mother laid her hand on my
shoulder, and said mildly, "My son I
wish you to come with me-" / would
have rebelled, but something in her
manner swed me. She put on her bon.
net, and said to me. "We will take
little walk together" 1 followed her in
silence; as was passing out of the door,
I observed one OF my rude companions
skulking about the house. and knew he
was waiting for me. He sneered as I
went past him. My pride was wounded
to the quick. He was bad boy, but
being some years older than myself he
exercised great influence over me? l
followed my mother sulkly, till we reach
ed the spot where we now stand, beneath
the shadow of this huge rock. O, my
boy could that hour be blotted from
my memory which has cast a shadow
over. my whole life, gladly would I
exchange all that the world can offer me
for. the quiet peace ofsmind I should
enjoy. But no ! like this huge, unsightly
pile, stands the monument of my guilt
forever.
mother. being feeble in health,
sat down and beckoned me beside her.
Her look so full of sorrow, is present to
me now. l would not sit, but continued
standing sullenly beside her.
CATER, my dear son." said she, shave
you lost all love for your mother?" l
did not reply. II fear you have" she
continued ;."and may God help you to
see your own heart, ard me to do my
duty" She then talked to me of my
misdeeds-of the dreadful consequences
of the course I was pursuing. BY tears,
and eutreaties, and prayers, she tried to
make an impression on me. She placed
before me the lives and examples of great
and good men; sought to stimulate my
ambition. I was moved, but too proud
to show 1t, and remained standing in
dogged silence beside her. I thought,
"What will my companions say if, after
all my boasting, should yield at last,
and submit to be led by woman?"
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, aud I followed at dis
tance. She spoke no more to me till we
reached our own door.
ut is school.time now," said she.
0o, my bou, auu Once mOTe let NO De'
seech you to think upon what l have
said"
~ shan't 20 to school," said I.
She looked astonished at my boldness,
but replied firmly, Certainly you will
go, Alfred; I command you."
-a''I will not" said l, with tone of de-
fance.
Zone of the two things you must do,
Alfred, either go to school this moment,
or will lock you into your room, and
keep you there till you are ready
to promise implicit obedience to my
wishes in future"
"I dare. you to do it." said, "you
can't get me up stairs"
"Alfred, chose now," said my mother,
as she laid her hand on my arm. She
trembled violently, and was deadly pale.
"Will you go, Alfred ?''
'No I replied, but quailed before her
eyes.
"Then follow me-" said she, as she
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