Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1840-08-07
THE WIDOW AND HER SON.
by WASHINGTON IRVING.

was placed on the ground. On II was IN
scribed the name of the deceased: GEO.
SoMERs, aged 26 years" The poor moth
or had been assisted to knec down at the
head of it, Her withered hands were clas-
ped, as ifin prayer but could perceive,
by feeble rocking Of the body, u convul-
sive motion oflhc lips that she was gazing on
the last relics ofhe son with the yearnlngs
of mothers heart.
Preparations were now made to deposte
the coffin in the earth. There was that
busting air, which breaks so harshly on the
feelings of grief and affection; directions
were given in the cold tones of business ;
and there was the striking of spades into
the gravel, which at the grave of those we
love,is of all sounds the most writing. The
hustle seemed to waken the mother from a
revere. She raised her glazed eyes, and
looked about with faint wildness.
AS the men approached with cords to
lower the coffin into the grave, she wrung
her hands, and broke into an agony OF grief.
The poor woman who attended her, took
her by the'arm, endeavored to raise her from
the ground and to whisper something like
consolation. may, now may, now don't
take it so sorely to heart But the moth
or could only shake her head, and wiring
her hands, as one not TO be comlortcd.
As they lowered the body into the earth
the creaking of the cords seemed TO agonize
her but when,on some accidental obstruc
ton, there was jostling of the coffin, all
the tenderness of the mother burst forth las
IL any harm could come to him, who was
far beyond the reach ofworldly suffering.
Icould see no morc-my heart swelcd
into my throat-my eyes filed with tears
Il felt as if | were acting barbarous part
in standing by gazing idly on this scene of
maternal anguish. wandered 10 another
part of the churchyard, where | remained
until the funeral train had dispersed.
Ii was sometime before left the place.
On my way homeward, | met with the
woman who had acted as comforter. She
was Just returning from accompanying the
mother to her lonely habitalion, and drew
from her some particulars connected with
the affecting scene had just Witnessed.
The parents ofihe deceased had resided
in the village from childhood. They had
inhabited one of the neatest cottages, and
by various rural occupations, and the assist
ance of a small garden, had supported them
selves credtably and comfortably and led
happy aud blamtess life. They had one
son, who had grown up to be the staff and
pride Of their age.
But unfortunately, this son was tempted
during year of scarcity and agricultural
hardship, to enter into the service of one Of
the small crafts that piled on neighboring
river. He had not been long in this en-
ploymont, when he was entrapped by
pressgang and carried off to sea. His pa
rents received tdings of his seizure, but
beyond that, they could learn nothing. 1t
was tie loss Of their main prop. The faith
cr, who was already in6rm, grew hcarteSs
and melancholy, and sunk into his grave
The widow, left lonely in her age and fee
bleness, could no longer support herself,
and came upon the parish.
Time passed, ill one day she heard the
cottage door, which faced the garden, sud-
denly open. A stranger came out, and
seemed 10 be looking eagerly and wildly
around. lie was dressed in seaman's
clothes, was tlnuCloleu anu SnuStlN pulc,
and bore the air of one broken down by
sickness and hardships. lie saw his moth
er and fastened towards her, and sobbed
like child. The poor woman gazod up
on him with vacant eye. 30 my dear,
doar mo,her don't you know your son
your poor boy, George? ;"
1t was, indeed, the wreck of her once no.
bic lad who, shattered by wounds, by sick
ness and foreign Imprisonment, had, at
length dragged his wasted limbs homeward,
to repose among the scenes of childhood
The rest of the story is soon told for the
young man fingered but a few weeks, and
death came 10 his relief.
The next Sunday after the funeral
have described, was at the village church
when, to my surprise, saw the poor old
woman tottering down the aisle TO her ac-
customed seat on the steps of the ALTAR
She had made an effort to put on some
thing like mourning for her son aud moth
ing could be more touching than this stug-
gle between pious affection and utter pow
erty a black ribbon or SO, a faded handker-
chief, and one or Two such humble attempts
TO express, by outward signs, that griei
which passes show.
When looked around upon the storied
monuments, the stately Indictments, the
cold marble po;np with which grandeur
,,,our,sad p,oe,,,fcantlv ovar hanortad ,,t,ds,