Year: 1861

! We cannot refrain from publishing the fol-
lowing simple yet touching letter found in
possession OF post office clerk recently ar
rested and now confined in prison, for an cx-
tenslve embezzement of money letters, in the
post office in which he was employed, in one
of our principal cities. 1t was written but a
few weeks previous to his detection. How
prophetic are its words, and how pure the
love Of a mother ! Had the timely admoni-
ton here rendered been needed in season, the
unfortunate son might now have been admi-
nistering to the comfort and happiness of this
dearest of earthly friends, instead of consigu-
ing her to the chamber of sorrow, and per-
haps to premature grave.


Although these solemn words Of a mothers
warning proved insufficient to arrest the
downward course Of her wayward son, we
trust they may have the effect to deter others
who may be placed under circumstances Of
responsibility and temptation, from venturing
upon similar course of dissipation and ruin.


Upon the envelope Of the letter. were the
following words 9 Not to be opened nor
read until you are in your room


D, Aug. 4, 1861,


MY Dear Son j.: After | returned home
yesterday from B, felt sad and had a
seepIess night, and | decided this morning to
write to you, and earnestly request you to
read 1t calmly, and think seriously upon it.
You wonder why feel sad. 1t is because I
think, George, that you are going too fast,
and am fearful that unless you pause, and
follow my advice, you will be ruined. Now
don't start, nor condemn your poor mother,
for love you, and it is my earnest desire
and prayer that you may be happy. in the
first place Mr.. + has opposed your 60
ing there on the Sabbath day, and unless you
reIinquish your going there every day or eve
ming, lie will oppose you. Now, it is your
duty to keep away at least three evenings in
the week. Stay at home, retire carly, in or-
der to give you strength for your duties at
the post office, and besides appearances will
be for your benefit, and you will perform your
duties better. If you will reflect but Tor a mo.
ment, you will see that am right, for have
experience and can understand propriety bet
ter than you can in this case, because you are
carried hastily away by the impulse of the
moment.


* X y


Depend upon it 1 am right and you will
say So Again, am sad because you are
spending too much money. You must be
more prudent, or you will get into debt and
lose your place. Think Of it.


x X Y
You must change, become sober-mnded, and
lead Il different lite, and then you will be hap
py. o, my dear son, follow my advice, and
make your poor afflicted mother happy by
noble and virtuous career. You are not
child, and should put away childish things,
and be a man, man of fixed principles, do
ing what is right, and Stunning what is
wrong and by SO doing you will establish a
good name, which is precious, | again re-
quest you to save all the money you can, not
so much On my account as on your dear
brothers. We don't know but that he may
come home from the war SICK or aoovnded,
and he will have to depend on you and for
every dollar you save for him, he will give
you two. I write this for your own welfare
and happiness. Think Of it. Take my ad-
vice and seek aid from your Heavenly Faith
er, by prayer, night and morning, and ere
long you will have cause to thank your


AFFECTlONATE MOTHER.


Jo7I,oSL'c " g Mail