St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1898-11-30
A rlother's Error.

An inmate of penitentiary OF our
own state, unintentionaly gave the
blame to his mother Tor his wasted and
lost lie. In conversation with the writer
he said:
"My mother was beautiful woman.
and think in my childhood DAYS |
adored her: but ieel now that in those
day the seeds were planted which grew
into such noxious weeds as have poi
soned my whole life. / was an only
child and my mother widow. can see
now how all her affections were conferred
in me. | was indulged in everything.
having no expressed wish ungratifed.
My mother in her great love for me was
oblivious to the fact that / was a child
full of the seeds Of evil. only waiting
good opport unity to crop out. Since
coming to this place have had plenty of
time Tor thought, and OH how memory
travels back over the years OF my short
life! What unavailing regret and re-
morse overwhelms me!
III think my first really bad habit was
that Of exaPgeration, the habit of telling
a tale in highly colored way, and so
frequently that almost believed it my
self; or the telling Of some happening at
school in which alwaysappeared to the
best advantage. 1t was only one step
down to outright falsehood. Mother
failed to check this habit and l soon
reached the lower step. Oh, if mothers
would only think and correct gently but
firmly the very first downward steps,
Then began when very small boy,
the habit Of taking few nuts out OF the
grocer's barrel, then an apple. a ginger
snap and such things. until became
successful light.fngered boy. OF course
these things were done slyly, but mother
could have known, for my jacket pockets
were generally full; but mothers don't
think. Then my liberties were not cur
tailed. was allowed to go down town
after night; at first only little while.
and then | was ready enough to tell
mother who l was with and how we
spent our time; but as time went on
mother seemed busy with her own COM
pany, her clubs. and women's meetings,
and came in at any hour chose, and
crept quietly to my own room, some
times, young as | was, in shocking
state.
I'm time my circle OF associates grew
larger and soon included some of the
'roughs' Of the town, boys would not
dare speak to in my mothers presence.
often think how much sin is hidden in
the vile haunts OF a large city, and how
soon boy may be led into them if he
have not the will power to say no. These
dens of vice, so brilliantly illuminated,
the invitation to enter so temptingly
held forth! A boys life of this sort may
go on in secret for time, but sooner or
later the secret is out. So it was with
me. My studies were sadly neglected,
my health undermined, aud mother see
ing this. allowed me to quit school for a
time. This too, was mistake for it
gave me more time for the downward
career bad chosen, and yet, | was anx-
ious to retain my mothers love. But
seemed powerless to break off my evil
habits. those habits had fostered when
small boy.
But there comes an end to all things,
and one night, in company with num-
Der OF the set associated with, we were
captured in the act oil entering house
for the purpose of burglary. My hrst
thought was OF mother and how could
keep the news from reaching her ears.
But that was impossible. We were tried,
found guilty and sentenced for term oil
years here. | never saw my mother.
When the dreadful news was taken to
her that had been arrested, they told
me she gave one wild shrek and fell into
a swoon from which it was difficult to
restore her. She was carried to her bed
and never arose from it again. A cousin
who was with her in her last moments,
told me her walls were beart-rending
oh my boy, my boy am to blame. l
failed in my duty, failed in my duty.
Her death came soon and she was
spared the knowledge of my being sent
here. killed her. shall always feel so.
But oh if the little foxes that destroyed
the vines in my childhood had been killed
would not be here. / am only boy
yet, but lite is ended for me. deserved
my punishment, but it is hard"
can never forget the look OF utter
hopelt ssness on his face as he uttered the
last words, and told him as clasped
his hand in farewell he must not give up,
but try to live all down when his liberia
ton came: but he sadly shook his head.
A lew months later read OF his death.
Perhaps it were better so. think GODS
grace was sufficient Tor him, for felt as
he spoke he had truly repentfd. But
could not help but think what a lie OF
usefulness his might have been had
mother been faithful to her duty.-LM. X.
Waggoner, in the May Flower.