The Kalida venture. [volume] (Kalida, Ohio) 1841-1865, 1845-03-07
MISCELLANY.
The widow and her Som.
BY WASHINGTON IRVING

: | approached the grave. The coffin was
placed on the ground. On it were inscribed
the name and age Of the deceased.-
GEORGE SoMERs, aged 26 years" The
poor mother had been assisted TO kneel down
at the head of it. Her wihorod hands
were clasped, as if in prayer; but | could
perceive, by feeble rocking Of the body,
and a convulsive motion of the lips, that
she was gazing on the last relics Of her son
with the yearnngs of mothers heart.
Preparations were made 10 deposit the
coffin in tie earth. There was that bustling
stir, which breaks so harshly OH the feelings
of grief and afilicton; directions were given
in the cold tones of business; and there
was the Striking of spades into sand and
gravel, which at the grave of those we love,
is of all sounds most writhing. The bustle
around seemed to waken the mother from
a wretched rovere. She raised her glazed
ewes. and looked about with faint wlldness.
As the mon approached with cords. to
lower the coffin into the grave, she wrung
her hands, and broke into an agony of grief
The women who attended her took her by
the arm, endeavored TO raise her from the
earth, and to whisper something like conso-
lation.
"Nay now; nay, now-don't take it SO
sorely TO heart"
But the mother could only shake her
head, and wiring her hands, as one not TO be
comforted.
As they lowered the body into the earth,
the creaking of the cords seemed TO agonize
her: but when, on some accidental obsruc-
Al inc1linu of tho coffin all
the tenderness of the mother burst forth; as
if any harm could come 10 him, who was
far beyond the reach of worldly suffering.
could see no more-my heart swelled
into my throat-my eyes filled with tears
felt as if | were acting barbarous part in
standing by and gazing idly on the scenes of
maternal anguish. wandered to another
part of the churchyard, where | remained
until the funeral train had dispersed.
1t was some time before left the place.
On nv way homewaTd, met with the wo-
man who had acted as comforter. She was
lust returning from accompanying the mother
to her lonely habitaton, and drew from her
some particulars connected with the Affect
ing scene had witnessed.
The parents of the 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 small garden, had supported
themselves creditaby and comfortably, and
led happy and blameless life. They had
one son, who had grown up to be the staff
and pride of their age.
But, unfortunately, this son was tempted,
e, ,p1 arripuItural |
hardship, to enter into the service of one OF
the small craft that piled on neighboring
river. He had not been long in this employ,
when he was entrapped by pressgang, and
carried off to sea. His parents received
tdings of his seizure, but beyond that they
could learn nothing. 1t was the loss of their
main prop. The father, who was already
in6rm. grew heartess and melancholy, and
sunk into his grave. The widow, left lonely
in her age and feebleness, conld no logger
support herself, and came upon the p'r'sn.
Time passed on, till one day she heard
the cottage door, which faced the garden;
suddenly open. A stranger came OUT ana
seemed to be looking eagerly and wild'y
around. He was dressed in soamen's clothes,
was emaciated and CHASTITY pale, and bore
the air of one broken by sickness and hard,
sbips. He saw his mother and fastened
toward her, but his steps were falnt and fal-
tering; he sank on his knees before @ her'
and sobbed like child. The poor woman
gazed upon him with a vacaat and wandering
ao. my dear, dear ,moher don't you
know your son? your por boy, GEORGE
1t was, indeed, the wreck of her once