The Sumter banner. [volume] (Sumterville, S.C.) 1846-1855, 1849-10-03
s@isceIlaateolts.
The Seige.
by DOUGLASS JERRoLD.
+ C0ncluded.1 I

Now God be praised!' cried the wo
man, "God be thanked, and may my
z doubts--thc fears of a widowed mother
meet forgiveness. Oh, this is a blcssing,' -
and the widow again carcsscd her dear
son.
Mother, howis this? Why cid you
rise to-day--and what is here?' and
Caspar pointed to the widows cloak;
for the mother, worn with anxious watch
ing, had resolved to seek her son abroad.
You have stayed late, Caspar, very
late said the widow, evading an an
swer to his question, What has
happened? what news from the walls"
We shall beat them yet, mother
said Caspar, with forced smile; fear
not--still we shall have merry days.
The governor is strong in hopc--wc
shall beat them yct.'
Alas! my boy, you are pale and wca,
ry--nced rest and nourishment.'
"A little rest, mother. only q little
rest said Caspar, for to-day l have
Jared nobly with our old friend, Martin
of the market-placc. l have drunk
wine to-day, mother; and sec there. is
bread for SUPPER and the boy placed
portion of the loafupon the table, and
hastily Quilted the room. Descending
a staircase, he uncloscd a door which
opened into little stonc-payed court; a
goat ran to him, and gambolled about
him. Caspar, breaking the bread which
he had received from Martin, gave it to
the animal to eat. 'Comc what WILL
said the youth, looking mcurnfuly upon
the feeding creature, come what will,
you must not 80 suppc,lcss;' and Cas-
par, rescrvins only a small piece Of the
loaf for himself, gave the remainder to
the hungry goat. He then, with new
looks Of chcerfuiness, returned to his
mother.
Yes, Caspar,' said the widow, Il feel
that this misery will end; it would be
wickedness to doubt it, Your love,
your rccompcnsc of happy days. Such
virtue cannot pass away unknown and
unrcwarded.'
Il am rewarded, ten times ovcrpaid,
dear mother, by your fond words--your
doating looks. There, you are better
today, I am sure, much better; your
voice is stronger, your eyes brighter"
said the son. 'Let this hateful war
oacc cease; let these horrid tumults end
this sickening, desolating want, give
place to old, familiar comforts, and you
will be strong, be happy, once again
Il am happy, Caspar: believe it boy
profoundly happy. But for these
times of peril had never known my
son. Good, gentle, and tender, [ ever
thought him; butt had not known his
full nobility Of soul, his generous con-
tempt of wrong, his scorn of sclfishncss
in selfish times
sMother!r cried the youth, blushing
at the praise, and playfully placing his
hand to her lips. AS they sat, cmbra.
ced in each others arms, the still young
and beautiful face to which even sick
ness had added soft and melancholy
sweetness, and the flushed, animated,
manly countcnancc Of the youth, pres
cnted picture Of the pnrcst love, the
holicst affection, dignifying human
heartsthe love Of mother for her child,
the answering devotion Of child to pa
rent. Never was maternal tenderness
moro exquisitely manifest2d-never fl
ial duty more deyoutedly paid. Thus
they sat, and Caspar, looking in his
mothers face, taught himself to hope
for coming health mover had she look