Kanawha Valley star. [volume] (Charleston, Va. [W. Va.]) 1856-1861, 1859-02-22
.T0f what r asked his wife.

Il y =
ain SO poor as that comes to-
" Well, ], don't know replied his wife,
when q man is too poor 10 take a news.
paper his wife ought not to feel above
going out washing. .4
Nothing more was said an the subject
at that time, though some i'll feeling lin
gered in the hearts Of each. The max.
| ing up was no mawkish scene DC kissing,
embracing and crying, such as romance
writer's build their useless fabrics with,
but as Mrs, Heath was finishing her
household duties for the night! she said,
quietly 4
q DON'T think / did quite right, Rich
ard. 4'aE's ss
Itdon't think did either, responded
the husband and So the spark was
qnenched, which might have become a
|scathing flame, blighting all tie domestic
peace under their humble roof. Is
y 4
At last the long voyage iaended, and.
the sailors talk only of home now. They
talk of those they have to meet, of their
wives and children, to whom their
thoughts have often wandered during
these three years absence. They, won,
.dered if the young sailor. Alfred Heath,
who lies sick, will ever see home again,
and with their rough tones subdued al.
most To gentleRess. they speak ofhis aixi-
ETY. to see his mother.
He is SO hopelessly i'll that his heart is
now where tie worn spirit ever turns in
its hour of bitterest sorrow, OH Its APP
proach to the unseen end--to God and
his mother. Family as his heart beats,
it still throbs with earnest desire for. lie.
Dim s|his keen eye has become, lie fan
cies it would brighten once moro at the
sight Of his mhther, and his failing mind
become cleared, could he lean On her
breast. Es. 81 #
With folded hands the young sailor
prays his weFdsar confused and indis-
4tinct to those who listen, but all clear and
and earnest are they 70 the Great listener
above. And when the ship had reached
her distant port, and mingling voices are
oil around the sick sailor his comrades
bear him comfortably TO home---a mis-
cradle home--but better4to him than the
rocking vessel in the midst of the sound
ing sea, Now, il l could see mother,'
he murmured to the strangers around
him. b I4l
She is sitting by the vine covered win
dow, patiently reading the shipping jour
hal, and thinking meanwhile, of her alb
sent boy thinking it was time for him
to return, and hoping that he viii never
go to sea again. How quick the words
catch her eyeArriyed, ship Banner
Lowell.
/ Andit was week ago; he could have
been home by this time he will come to-
night, she said, joyfully, as she went to
communicate the good news to her hus.
band. s
They watched for him in vain that
night and then Mrs. Heath suggested
what no mother ever failed to suggest
when the long absence of child was IN
accounted for-he must be sick when
night after night passed, andIthey neither
saw nor heard ANY thing Of Alfred, her
anxiety would let her rest no longer.
We will go for him, or at least go
where we may hear Of him. said Nj.
Heath, who now, as anxious as his wife,
readily assented.
Their simple preparstlonfor the Jour
ney were soon made, and with heavy
hearts they poceeded in search Of their
son, with little hopes of gaining anything
more satisfactory than definite intellf-
genee of his death.
Il was . dark and rainy evening when
they entered the city. and after an hour
spent in fruitless enquiries, they found the
place where Alfred had been carried
Little care, had been received ins the
crowded boarding house. There was
none Of the neatness and order that shows
better ina sick room than anywhere else.
Rough hands had tended him, and pale
death+like as he looked, it seemed as IL il
matteted little what care he had now In
the agony with which the parents bent
over the unconscious sleeper, and marked
the sunken cheeks and wasted form, there
was but one ray Of comfort; they could
watch ovsr him-they should not hear Of
his death with the sad thought that none
but stranger had spoothed his dying
pillow. I5s ai5sslsi.i
The sleeper awoke from troubled
dream to find bis aching head supported
by his father, and see his mothers eye
resting upon him with a look Of unutter-
able tenderness. So faint was the SMILE
of recognition, with which he greeted
them, that only q parent eye could have
caught the altering expression.
Can't live, cam live said the doctor,
with . professional caFelessness. rs lie
entered the house the next morning.
But his mother has come said The
land lady.
That alters the case he may get up
agair. answered the doctor. than whom
none knew batter how much mother
could do. y
But hoy frail seems The thread that
held that young and promising life. For
days it quivered and trembled with the
slightest BREATH and the mother tearfplly
prayed that it might not be broken. 4
gentle care and kindly watching as2eyerI
blessed = sick bed, hsd Alfred Heath, and
not il vain gradually he grew better.
and was able % walk with bis parents and
asked them how they Glanced 70 come To-
him ip the hour of|need
Il WAS tie Newspaper said Mr..
Hs,1f kfs = met ~ ,<r,-d. e. ktn 1890.