The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1853-11-23
THE WIDOW AND HER som.
BY WASHING TON IRVING.

approe ched the grave. The cof1ir
was placed on the ground. On it were
inscribed the name and age of the deceas
ed. George Somers, aged 26 years.
The poor mother had been assisted to
kneel down at the head Of it. Her with
cred hands were clasped, as if in prayer
but could perceive, by feeble rocking
of her body, and convulsive motion OF hel
lips, that she was gazing on the last relics
of her son, with the yearning Of mothers
heart
Preparations were now made TO deposit
the coffin in the earth. There was thai
bustling stir, which breaks so harshly or
the feelings Of grief and afflic,ion; direc.
tons were given in the cold tones Of bust
ness; and there was striking Of spades
into the gravel; which, at the grave of,hcse
we love is Of all sounds the most withering
The hustle seemed to awaken the moilie,
from wrelched revery. She raised her
glazed eyes and looked about with faint
wilduess.
AS the men approached with cords to
lower the coffin into the grave, she wrung
her hands, and broke into an agony oil
took her bv the arm and endeavored to
raise her from the earth, and whisper
something like consolation. May, 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 no,
TO be comforted.
AS they lowered the body into the earth.
the creaking Of the cords seemed TO ago
nize her; but when on some accidental Oh.
struction, there was a jostling OF the coffin,
all the tenderness OF the mother burst forth.
as if any harm could come 10 him that was
far beyond the reach Of worldly suffering
could see no more-my heart swelled
into my throat-my eyes filed with tears
Il felt as if were acting a barbarous
par, in standing by and gazing idly Oh
this scene of maternal anguish. wan.
dered 50 another part Of the churchyard
where remained until the funeral had
dispersed.
1t was some time before left the, place
On my way home, met with the woman
who had acted as comforter; she was jus,
returning from accompanying the mother
TO her lonely habitaton. and drew from
her some particulars connected with the af
fec,ing scene had Witnessed.
The parents of the deceased had resid.
ed in the village from childhood. They
had inhabited one OF the neatest cottages
and by virtuous rural occupations aud the
-assistance of small garden. had support.
ed themselves creditably and comfortably
and Ted happy aud blameless lie. They
had one son, who had grown up to be the
pride of their age.
But, unfortun a,ely, this son was tempt
ed. during a year of scarcity and agricul-
tural hardship, 10 enter the service of one
Of the small crafts that piled on the neigh
boring river. He had not been long in
this employ when he was entrapped by a
press gang. and carried off to sea. His
parents received ,idings OF his seizure, bu
beyond that they could learn nothing. |,
was the loss oftheirma prop. The faith
er. who was already infrm, grew heartless
and melancholy. and sunk into his grave
The widow. left lonely in her old age and
feebleness, could no longer support herself
and came upon the parish.
Time passed till one day she heard the
cottage door, which faced the garden, sud
! denly open. A stranger came in; and
seemed to be looking eagerly and wildly
around. He was dressed in seamen's
clothes, was emaciated and ghas,ly pale
and bore the air of one brokenby sickness
and hardships. He saw his mother ant
fastened toward her, but his steps were
faliering; he sunk on his knees before her
and sobbed like child. The poor WON
an gazed upon him with vacant ano
wandering eye.
oh, my dear. dear mother! don't yo,
know your son? your poor boy. George!
1t was, indeed, the wreck Of her once
noble lad; who. shattered by wounds. by
sickness, and foreign Imprisonment, had
at length, dragged his wasted limbs home
ward. TO repose among the scenes of hi.
childhood. The rest OF the story is sooi
told-tor the young man fingered but {
few weeks. and death came TO his relief.
have described, was at the village church
when to my surprise | saw the poor oil
; woman tottering down the aisle TO her &C
customed seat on the steps Of the altar
She made an effort 10 put on something
, like. mourning for her son; and nothin.
could be more touching than this struggle
, between pious affection and utter poverty
black riband or so-a faded black hand
kerchief. and one or two such humble at
> tempts to express. by outward signs. tn
. grief which pass es show.
| When | looked around upon the storie,
monument, the stately Indictments, the coll
marble pomp with which grandeur mourn
r ed magnifcently over departed pride. an,
, turned to this poor widow bowed by ag
and sorrow, at the altar of her God, an
: offering up the prayers and praises Of
' pous though broken heart. felt that thi
q living monument of real grief was wort
r all.
related the story to some Of the wealth
members of the congregation. and the
e were moved by it. They exerted them
e selves to render her situation more CON
It Portable. and TO tighten her affections.
was, however, but smoothing few step
: TO the grave. In the course of Sunda
). ortwo after, she was missed from her nsu;
:, seat at church. and before | left the neigh
# borhood, heard with satisfaction that sh
!. hod ;,,ct hra a fhod her CT apA Ind uon