The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-01-29

When he was naughty l would get all out
of patience with him instead Of kindly and
firmly reproving him. I would dread vaca-
ton time and permit him to go from home
to play; could not stop to amuse and inter-
est him at home and it was such a relief
to have him away.
But why need l go on? The loving, af-
fectionate boy weaned from his mother.
and every year found him farther away.
RumorS began to come to the ears of his
father and myself OF his being wild. We
talked with him; he felt very badly and
promised to do better. But, alas! the chain
of love which should have bound him to his
other chains, woven by wicked companions,
mad been thrown around him and held him
fast. We sent him away to school l wrote
many letters to him. / tried to get my in
huence over him back again, but it too
late. He ran away from school, and for five
years we heard nothing from him. Mothers.
with no knowledge whatever of my only son.
One evening we sat before the fire talk
Ing OF our absent boy. The storm ragged
without, and the tempest in our own hearts
could not be stilled. I thought I heard
timid knock at the door. l went and there
stood my long-lost Earnest. But what
blue-eyed, curly-hared baby-my robust,
ruddy-cheeked son? A pale, emaciated young
man stood before me.
Earnest, my boy cried sis this you?"
L
come IN? l have come home to die
we did everything could for him. but
could not save him These five years of dis
sipation had ruined his health, and he only
lived few months.
Mother he would often say, IT am only
twenty-one, and have got to die. have
wasted the past years of my life and cut
| on the future, which might have been mine
! to use for good
Bitterly did he repent, and we believe was
forgiven, which is the only drop of comfort
he cropped asleep very peacefully. and we
nave laid him here to rest till God shall
old MIN rise But my heart was broken then
and bitterness and sorrow have been lay
companions ever since. God gave me that
boy to bring up, and I responsible fer
MIS- future; There was in him the germ of
noble manhood and | crushed it.
Inc heart of my child was mine but in.
| stead Of making effort to keep that heart
permitted it to slip from my grasp.
| l never see little boy now but that I
want to go to the mother and on Bonded knee
| implort her to so love that boy that she will
be patent with him: that she will SO win
ana retain his affections that his love for
mother shall be shield Of safety in the
darkest hour Of temptation.
Dear young mothers, bear with the noisy
boys letter few headaches now than The
dreadful heartache that will come in after
years Make home pleasant for them No
matter II the work is not all done to your
satisfaction; the eternal welfare of the child
Is OF far more Importance. Lay aside YOUR
work sometimes, and enter into their sports
| and games. Question them about their do
1ngs, at school: rejoice with them when they
| are happy; sympathiZe with them when thew
are In trouble. Let them see that mother is
| true friend to them. At the same time
| be firm and insist upon implicit obedience
/ They will respect you all the more for that
Make bedtime happy hour for them, that
the memory may linger with them in after
| years. and that memory shall be a
sacred one. causing a deep tenderness to
| spring W In the heart, and a strong yearning
| to bow the head again on mothers knee. and
| say the erening prayer. even when they have
become strong men engrossed in the business
| Of life.
! Dear mothers as say farewell to you, l
| would lift my heart in prayer to the Father
above. asking him to give you. each and al,
wisdom. aud strength SO to bring up those
boys OF yours that noble manhood may
| be theirs. happy heart yours. and man
sion OF rest be for you all IN the pure city
| of God
And If my story will help some mother to
| be more paient and tender with her boy, I
VIII thank God that he has permitted few
threads of gold to finish my web Of life
| Now England Magazine.