Indiana American. [volume] (Brookville, Ind.) 1833-1861, 1855-05-25

discreet personhad borne to the ears Of
the mother the fearful news about her
son, and she lad come wildly flying
towards the tavern, and was just en-
tering.
"It is my poor mother said Willy,
a flush coming over his face. who
could have told her this?'
Mr.. Hammond started for the door,
hut ere he had reached it, the distract
ed mother had entered.
'Oiwilly, my boy, my boyl" she
exclaimed in tones Of anguish that
made the heart shudder. And she
croucbed down on the floor, the mo-
meat she reached the bed-wherein
he lay, and pressed her lips-oh, so
tenderly and lovingly!-to his.
"Dear mother! Sweet mother!-
Best Of mothersp' He even smiled
as he said this; and, into the face that
now bent over him, looked up with
glances Of unutterable fondness.
oh, Willyl Willy! Willy! my son!
my sonl' And again her lips were laid
close to his.
Mr.. Hammond now interfered, and
endcavored to remove his wife, fear
ing for the consequences upon his son.
Don't father'' said Willy; let her
remain. / am not excited or disturbed.
Pm glad that she is here, now. 1t will
be best FOR us both"
"You must not excite him, dear,
said Mr.. Hammond-"he is very
weak"
ON not excite him." answered the
mo.ho-. I'm not speak a word; there
ve"-and she.laid her fingers softly
upon his lips-''don't speak single
word
For only a few minutes did she sit
with the quiet formality of a nurse,
whe feels how much depends on the
repose Of the patient. Then she be-
gan, Weeping. moaning, and wringing
her hands.
'Mother" The feeble voice Of Will
ly, stilled. instantly, the tempest Of
feeling, Mother, kiss mel
She, bent over and kissed him.
care you there mother?" His
eyes moved about with straining mo-
ton.
Yes, love, here | am"
IL don't see you. mother. It's get
ting SO dark. Oh! motherl motherP'
he shouted suddenly, starting up and
throwing himself forward upon hel
bosom--'savc me! save mel
How quickly did the mother CLASP
her arms around him--how eagerly
did she strain him to her bosom! The
doctor fearing the worst consequences
now came forward, and endeavored
to release the arms Of Mrs. Hammond,
but she resisted every attempt TO DO so
81 will save you my son." she MUIR
INJURED in the ears Of the young man
"Your mother will protect you. Oh
if you had never left her side. moth
ing on earth, could have done you
HARM"
"He is deadl" / heard the docto,
whisper; and thrill Of horror went
through me. The words reached thu
ears Of Hammond, and his groan wa'
one OF almost mortal agony.
"Who says he's dead" came sharp
ly from the lips of the mother, as she
| pressed the form other son back upor
the bed from which he had sprung Il
her arms. and looked wildly upon hi
face. One, long scream Of horror
told Of her conviction, and she fell
lifeless, across the body Of her dead
son!
All in the room believed that Mrs
Hammond had only tainted. But the
doctors perplexed, troubled counte'
nance, rs he ordered her carried into
another apartment. and the ghastliness
Of her face when it was upturned to the
light, suggested to every one what
proved to be true. Even to her OBJ
scured perceptions, the consciousness
that her son was dead came with
erriblevividness-so terrible, :that IL
extinguished her life.