Monmouth weekly herald. [volume] (Freehold, N.J.) 1854-1860, 1855-05-02
LEAVING HOME.
BY EVE WILDER.

L
1t is bounded by four walls, and its hearth
stone is its altar-stone. Dear associations
cluster around the chimney corner. And
every niche and Granny and broken brick
is sanctiGed-sancti6ed by some pleasant
memory. The voices of sisters and moth
ers, fathers and brothers, have eonsecra.
ted the spot, have resounded in the sacred
precincts-the voices Of sisters and moth
ers, dear sisters and dear mothers. We
have wandered from HOME, but its sweet
magnetism is still upon us: it is the CEN
tire of our mental social SYSTEM and we
revolve round its remembrances-are
bound forever by its attractions in our
earth life's orbit.
John was of age. The spirit of enter
prise and restlessness had fastened upon
him, and he resolved to buckle on the ar
NOR Of selfdependence, and go forth tc
fight with the Goliah of the world-the
mighty Goliah, whose spear is like unto
a weaver's beam, and who vaunteth him
self against beardless Dayids fresh from
the herding cattle.
Johns last evening at home was a sad
and silent one. The family circle gazed
-mourfully at the fire-looked uneasily al
the blazing fire. The preparations had
been completed, and they were very sim
pie. There was little sleep that night al
the farmhouse; the inmates laid awake
thinking of the young mans departure or
the morrow. In the morning all appear
ed at the breakfast liable; but no one fell
like eating. The father was grave, the
mother looked often at John. This thought
entered her mind
" Perhaps John will never be seen at
the home board again."
And the tears filled her eyes: and she
tried to press them back with strong eff
fort Of the will. There was a sorrowful
echo in her brain which kept iterating-
Never be seen at the home board again 7!
She could not bear it. She arose and
went to the window, as if to observe
something that was passing. Sister Ma
4 RVS eyes were red: and brother Ned had
dull, dubious expression.
John got up from the table and put on
his hat casting significant glance at his
bundle-a small bundle in a chair near
the door.
suppose it is time to be going" he
said, in a low and rather thick voice.
He shook hands with Ned, and Mary
kissed him. He attempted to smile and
say something encouraging to her, but her
warm lips melted down his resolution
He was aware that his father had taken
his hand, but his eyelids were weighing
heavily upon his eyes, and he did not at
tempt to raise them.
John, be just and Industrious" he
said, in shaky voice. If you do not
return to US rich, come back honest
back to your old father and mother honest,
John. We have toiled side by side, my
son-many years side by side. If | have
been harsh to you, or unforgiving, you
must forgive me, nor bear away from this
paternal roof, in your heart, aught but
kindness and love-kindness and love for
father, John"
John tried to say Don't father!" but
couldn't. 1t touched sensitive place to
hear the good old man talk so-talk SO
Christianity.
A softer hand grasped bis-a very soft
hand full of mothers magnetism moth
er's sweet magnetism. Johns bosom was
Swelling unanimously, and he could not
summon courage to look into her eyes.
john" said she-the words thrilled
him" Time has been dealing with me for
more than half century. I'm getting
old-Pm following those who have given
dust to dust. The material world is fading
and the fashion thereof changing. You
are going out from before my sight, and |
may see your face no more. john the
old lady's voice quavered affectingly-" a
portion Of my being lives in you; no other
can love you as | do-as your fond old
4 mother loves YOU For my sa.lro, BIO cara.
full what you do-be very careful what
you do, for you cannot suffer without my
feeling the pain-mothers feel their chill
dren's pain, john"
The good lady paused, and the tears
ran down her cheeks.
Pm afraid | shall never see you again.
Perhaps this'is the last time I shall ever
embrace you. Oh, John, how can give
you up! how can suffer you to depart
i The days and the nights will be long
when you have gone. shall count the
days and lay awake nights-lay awake
thinking of and praying for you. There
is no selfshness in my love-it is alLsacri
4 6cing, all-forgiving, and watchful. Be
ware of evil influences, my son. And
whatever your misfortunes or success may
be, do not forget those at homep
John was full and running over at the
eyes; he wanted to sob like child. How
weak he was-how his strength went
away, leaving him subdued and grieving
He had never dreamed that parting was
lsuch an ordeal His mother, like Paul
fell upon his neck and wept. And John
gave way and wept too. She said Goo
bless youl' aud then he departed, tearfu
and sorrowing.
/, Reader, did you ever hear a mothers
"God bless you ?" It is freighted with
solemn, thrilling sweetness. I cannot
keep back the tears when / think of it
Many lips that have pronounced it with
the fervor of inexpressible love, are ashes
! to-day; many hearts that have felt it are
crumbling in the narrow crypt; many
Isouls that are in Heaven have tremblec
at the pain of its birth.
Years have passed since ] heard the
music Of mothers God bless you'll y