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

sly iather, after an absence of three
years, returned to the house so dear "a
him. He he'd made his last voyage. and
reJoiced to have reached a haven of rest
from the perils of the sea. During his
absence had grown from child and
babe OF my mother's-for ! was her
youngest-into rough, careless, and
headstrong boy. Her gentle voice no
longerrestrained me. Twas often willtul
and sometimes disobedient. thought II
indicated manly superiority TO be inde.
pendent of a woman's influence. NV
tathera return was fortunate circum.
stance for me. He soon perceived the
spirit OF insubordination etirring within
me. l saw by his manner that 1t dis.
pleased him, although for few DAYS he
said nothing to me about it.
1t 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 n
tine open Zelda fayorite pley ground
for the children in the neighborhood,
After talking cheerfully on different
topics for while, my father asked me il
| observed that huge shadow thrown by
mass OF rocks that stood in the middle
OF the field. replied that I did.
My father owned this land" said he.
1T was my playground when a boy.
That rock stood then. To me it is a
beacon, and whenever I look at it I recall
dark.spo in my life-an event 80 pain
full to dwell upon, if it were not as q
warning to you, st ould not speak of it.
Listen then, my dear boy, and learn
wisdom from your fathers errors
My father died when was mere
child. I was the only son. My mother
was gentle, loving woman, devoted to
her children and beloved by everybody.
remember her pale, beautiful face, her
sweet afIectionate smile, her kind and
tender voice. In my childhood I loved
her intensely. was never happy apart
from her, and she, fearing was becoming
too much of baby, sent me to the high
school in the village. After associatinq
for time with rude, rough boys, | losl
in q measure, my fondness for home and
my reverence for my mother; and il
became more and more difficult for her
to restrain my impetuous natur,.
thought it indicated want of manlines:
to yield to her authority or to appear
peniteut, although know that my cou.
duct panied her. The epithet 1 most
dreaded was girl boy. 1 could not bear
to hear 1t said by my companions that
was tied to my mothers apron strings
From quiet, home loving child, I soon
became a wild, boisterous boy.a My dear
mother used every persuasion to induce
me to seek happiness within the precincts
OF home. She eXerted herself to make
our fireside attractive, end my sister,
following her sacrificing example, sought
to entice me by planning games and
diversions for my entertainment. saw
all this, but did not heed it.
1t was one afternoon like this that |
was about leaving the dining table, to
spend the intermission between morning
and evening school, ia the streets as
usual. my mother laid her hand on nv
shoulder, and said mildly, "My son
have rebelled, but something in her
manner owed me. She put on her bon.
net. and said to me. "We will take a
little walk together" followed her in
.iionce; as Wis passing out of the door
l observed one OF my rude companions
skulking about the house. and knew be
was waiting for me. He sneered as
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 me7
followed my mother sulkly, till we roach.
ed the spot where we now stand, beneath
the shadow Of this huge ROCK. Q, my
BOY could that hour be bIotted from
my memory which has cast shadow
over my whole life, gladly would
exchange all that the world cansoffer me
for the quiet peace ofimind I should
enjoy. But no like this huge, unsightly
pile, stands the monument of nv gull,
forever.
Ny mother. being feeble in health
sat down and beckoned me beside her
Her look 60 full of sorrow, is present to
The now. would not sit, but continued
standing suIlenly beside her.
"After, my dear son." said she, "have
you lost all love for your mother7"
did not reply. II fear you have" she
continued; "and may God help you to
see your own heart, and 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 entreaties, and prayers, she tried to
make an impression on me. She placed
before me the lives aud examples of great
and good men ; sought to stimulate my
ambition. was moved, but too proud
to show 1t, and remained standing in
dogged silence beside her. 1 thought
"What will my companions say if, after
all my boasting, I should yield at last
and submit to be led by woman 2"
What agony was visible on my moth.
er's face when she saw that oil she said
and suffered failed to move me. She
rose to 60 home, aud followed ct dis.
tance. She spoke no more to me till we
reached our own door.
1T ia school-time now," said she
"Go, my GOD, and once more let me be
seech you to think upon what have
said"
81 shan's go to school" said I.
She looked astonished at my boldness
but replied firmly, Certainly you will
GO, Alfred !; I command you"
""I will not" said I, with n tone of de
zone of the two things you must do
Alfred, either 60 to echool 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"
II dares you to- de- it," I said, "yor
can't get me up stairs"
"Aifred, chose now," said my mother
as she LAID her hand on my arm. She
trembled Violently, and was deadly pale
"Will yoii 60, Alfred 3'i s.I.f.s
''No I replied, but quailed before he,
"Then follow me-" said abe, as sh,
grasped mythtm firmly. ! raised my