The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1884-11-13


afraid to die. was not penitent. A
times my heart was subdued, but 10y
stubborn pride rose instantly and badt
me not to yield. The pale face of my
mother haunted me. / flung myself OF
the bed, and fell asleep. I woke at mid
night, stifiened and terrified with fright
full dreams.
would have sought my mother a
that moment, for trembled with fear
but my door was fast. With the day
light my terrors were dismissed, and
became bold in resisting all good impul
ses. The servant brought my meals, but
| did not taste them. thought the day
would never end. Just at twilight
heard light footstep approach my door
II VAS my sister who called me by name
"What may tell mother from you p
she asked.
"No,hiug!" replied.
20, Alfred, for my sake and all oul
sakes, cay that you are sorry. She longs
to forgive you"
II won't be driven to school against
my will," said.
"But you will go if she wishes it, dear
Alfred" said my sister, pleadingly.
"No. / won't" said I, "and YOU
needn't say word more about it,"
20, brother, you will kill her, and
then yon can never have happy mo-
ment."
made no reply to this. My feelings
were touched, but still resisted thei,
influence. My sister called me, but
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 wretch
ed and fearful do not know.
Another fOotstep, slower and feehlel
than my sisters disturbed me. a voice
called me by name. 1t was my mothers
"Alfred, my son, shall come in {? are
you sorry tor what you have done" she
asked.
| cannot tell what influence uper ting
at that moment, made me speak adverse
to my feelings. The gentle voice o.
mother that thrilled through me, melted
the ice from my obdurate heart, and
longed to throw myself on her neck, but
did not. No, my boy l did not. Blu,
my words gave the life to my heart, wher
said / was not sorry. heard her with
draw. | heard her groan. I longed tc
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 up, Alfred o, don't wait mo
ment Get up aud come with me
Mother is dyiugl'
thought / was dreaming, but I go
up mechanically, and followed my sister
On the bed, pale and cold rs marble, las
| my mother. She had not undressed, bui
had thrown herself on the bed to rest
Arising to 60 again TO me, she was seized
with palpitation of the heart, ant
borne senseless to her room.
cannot tell you my agony as I looked
| upon her-my remorse was tenfold more
bitter from the face that she would never
know it. believed myself O murderer
fell on the bed beside her-I could no
weep; my heart burned in my bosom
my brain was all on fire. MY sister
threw her arms around me and wept ir
silence. Suddenly we saw q slight mo-
ton of my mothers hand-her eyes
unclosed. She had recovered conscious
| ness but not speech-she looked at me
| and moved her lips. ! could not under
| stand her words. Mother, Mo1her,"
shrieked, ::say only that you forgive me. ,
She could not say with her lips, but hel
| hand pressed mine. She smiled upon
me, and lifting her thin, white hand,
clasped mine with them, and cast hel
eyes upward. She moved her lips ir
PRAYER and thus she died. I remained
| still kueeling beside that dear form til
| my gentle sister removed me. She corr
forted me, for she knew the heavy losl
! OF sorrow at heart: heavier than ths
grief for the loss Of q mother; for 1t was
@ load of sorrow for sin. The Joy o
youth had left me forever
My son, suffering, as such memories
awake, must continue as long as life
God is merciful, but the remorse of pas
| misdeeds is canker. worm in the heart
that prays upon it forever.
My fnther ceased speaking and bur
| ried his face in his hands. He saw ant
felt the bearing his narrative had upor
my character and conduct. l have never
forgotten it. Boys who spurn thei
mothers control, who are ashamed tt
| own that they are wrong, who think i
manly to resist the authority, or yield L
hor influence, bewarel Lay not up fo
yourself bitter memories for your futur,
| years. f,it
Though the boy who reads this ma,
not have kicked his mother, yet let hin
think If he has never given his mothe
| or father some unkind words, or be-,
disobedient 10 their wishes in many
ways. Boys, beware! obey your parent:
in all things, for God has commanded it
and remember that disebedience to you
parents is sin against God