Year: 1874

Nellie's dress had come, and as there was
to be wedding ceremony, Mrs. Allison had
30 time for any homily on Guys short
comings she had to bear the shock be had
given her, and she carried into the gay
circle great burden. The mothers heart
was not there it was with her boy, the
only son Of the household--their pride
who in days to come they hoped would de-
telope into man OF integrity and honor.
Visions Of temptations OF all sorts looned
up before her, as she thought Of the out
side influences she had left him 10 seek,
and she condemned herself for leaving him
to such resorts, took bitter and regretful
views Of her past negligence in leaving his
social needs quite out Of the plans she
made for Nellie. Amid all the music and
mirth Of friends, she walked tin spite Of
her attempts 10 raly,) a selfabsorbed
guest, whose mind was laying plans for be-
ing better mother. The boy had not
complained upjustly; the scales wore fast
dropping from ber eyes Home to this
boy had been comfortless, and change must
be made. A lad Of his years, when the
days occupation is over needs something
to interest them at home, or they will pass
bver its threshold and seek elsewhere for
pleasure.


Mrs. Allison was by no means a Thought.
less mother as il would. seem but recently
she had been quite occupied in the intro
duction of her eldest daughter into society,
and had for few weeks at the beginning
Of the social season, gone with her as cha.
perone, trusting her boy was safe. As for
Mr.. Allison, he had confidence Of the
strongest kind in the infallibility of his
wife for modelling the characters of his son
and daughters.


Guys early training was not wholly
lost, but that he was in danger, showed itself
in many ways.


Harry Weyman belonged to a family who
paid little attention to principle; enjoy
nent was all they sought for. His father
was an unfortunate inebriate, and his
mother discouraged and sad. Harry's
chances for happiness were small


When the morrow dawned after the dis
covery Mrs. Allison had made, she set about
an investigation.


In answer to her questions, Guy said.


" once went into saloon, but it was
by IIarry's persuasion. | told him ii was
a mean and low place did not care to 20
again, but he said to me : my father goes
there sometimes and don't think it can be
such a very bad place."


Mrs. Allison began to utter her surprise,
but her son said


If mother, you and Nellie we're not SO
much engaged in going out, and having
things going on in which | do not share, |
should not care to 60 off with boys to these
places; but wanted to go somewhere to
get away from the lonesome feeling. There
seemed to be nothing left for me; Nellie
went here and there, aud had her friends
coming and going"


The words were like sharp arrows to
Mrs. Allison's soul, as she saw her error in
not making her home equally attractive to
her boy and girl she resolved, that cost
what sef-denial it might, she would hence.
forth divide her leisure at evening, en-.
deavoring to feel it as necessary to enter
tain and make them happy as she would
invited guests; there should be no plan for
Nellie's enjoyment or amusement that did
not take in Guy, and even Mr.. Allison was
laid under contribution, and compelled by
the motherly ardor of his wife for their
children, to awaken to his part Of the duty
of making their home an Eden of happi-
ness, and be a "boy again. Not an even
ing spent at home, bad you happened in
but you would find them all engaged, help.
ing to entertain each other, either in social
games or pleasant reading aloud, or il
family concerts in which mother was the


leader in soprano and Nellie the organist
and each little one gave its quota of voice
Sometimes Harry and other Of Guys friends
were asked in, and home was made charm
ing place.