NESS AND DEATH.

Sufferings from the debauch--Crisis--Favorable change--Hopes of recovery
cut off--Consumption--Contrivance to change his position--State of
mind--The minister visits him--No evidence of penitence--The dying scene

CHAPTER VIII.

THE CONCLUSION.

The way of transgressors hard--Disobedience to parents a fearful
sin--Parental restraint--Pleasures of parental approbation--Disobedience
in scholars--Reflections--Sporting habits in children not to be
encouraged--Importance of early religious training--History of young
Duran a warning to Sabbath-breakers, &c.--Beware of the first sin--The
End

CHARLES DURAN.

CHAPTER I.

THE DURAN HOMESTEAD.

Before giving the history of Charles Duran's birth, life, and early
death, I will partially describe his father's residence. It was situated
in the town of ----, in the State of Connecticut, and about six miles
from the west bank of the beautiful Connecticut river. The house stood
on a level road, running north and south, and was about one mile from
the centre of the town.

Mr. Duran's house was large and commodious. It was built of wood, two
stories high, and painted a deep yellow. In the front was a fine
court-yard. In this yard were lilacs of a large growth, roses of various
kinds, and flowering almonds. These shrubs blossomed early in the
spring, and sent forth their fragrance to perfume the air.

On the south was a rich and well-cultivated garden, producing an
abundance of vegetables, gooseberries, currants, and raspberries. The
borders of the main alley were decked with pionies, pinks, and
sweet-williams.

Between the garden and the house was the well. A long sweep, resting on
the top of a high post, with a pole fastened to the upper end, was the
rude contrivance for drawing water. To the lower end of the pole was
attached a bucket. How many of New-England's sons remember with delight
the "old oaken bucket that hung in the well!"

On the north side of the house was a small orchard. In the rear were the
barn, sheds, crib, and other out-buildings.

The grounds in the immediate neighborhood were level or slightly
undulated. On the north and east were beautiful meadows. On the south
and west were excellent tillage and pasture lands. The season that I
spent there was one of nature's bountifulness. The tall herd's-grass,
the rustling corn, and the whitened grain waved in the summer's breeze,
and bespoke the plenty that followed the toil an