The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1859-05-19

dollars. IT'S just as well that you can't
come again, for think shall be we'll e.
nough to do it myself
Two dollars, just the price Of the news.
paper, exclaimed Mr.. Heath, as the truth
flashed across him. Rather silent ride
they had home, till at last be said:
i never was so ashamed in my life =
of whatl' asked bis wife.
why, to have you 60 out washin'; l
amt SO poor as that comes to-
We'll, don't know replied his wife,
when man is too poor to take a newspa-
per his wife ought not to fee! above 60.
ing out washing
Nothing more was said on the subject
at that time, though some i'll feeling ling.
cred in the hearts of each. The making
up was no mawkish scene of kissing, en-
bracing and crying, such as romance wri-
ters build their useless fabrics with, but
as Mrs. Heath was finishing ber house
hold duties for the night, she said, quietly:
1 don't think | did quite right, Rich
ard
4 don't think I did either responded
the husband; and so the spark was quen-
cbed which might have become scathing
fame blightiug all the domestic peace
under their humble roof.
AT last the long voyage is ended, and
the sailors talk only of new home now.
They talk of those they are to meet, of
their wives and children, to whom their
thoughts have so often wandered during
these three years absence. They wan
der if the young sailor, Alfred Heath. who
lies SO sick, will ever see home agaiu,a and
with their rough tones subdued almost to
gentlepess, they speak of his axiety to see
bis mother.
He is so hopelessly i'll that bis heart is
now where the worn spirit ever turns 10
its hour of bitterest sorrow, or the ap-
proach to the unseen end--to God and
his mother. Family as his heart beats,
it still ibrobs with earnest desire for life.
Dim as his keen eye has become, he fam
cies it would brighten once more at the
sight of his mother, and his failing mind
become cleared could be lean on her
breast With folded hands the young
sailor prays; his words are confused and
indistinct to those who listen, but all clear
and earnest to the Great listener above.
And when the ship had reached her dis
tant port, and mingled voices are all a
round the sick sailor, his comrades bear
him comfortable to home-but better
to him than the rocking vessel in the
midst of the sounding sea. Now, if |
could see mother be murmured to the
strangers around him.
She is sitting by the vine-covered win.
dow patiently reading the shipping jour
nal, and thinking meanwhile, of her abb
sent boy; thinking it was time for him to
return. and hoping that be will never 20
back to sea again. How quick the words
catch her eye Arrived, ship Banner,
Love!
And it was weeks ago; be 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.
They watched for him in vain that
night and then Mrs. Heath suggested that
no mother eve: failed to suggest when the
long absence of child was unaccouuted
for-he must be sick; when night after
night passed, and they neither saw nor
heard anything of Alfred, her anxiety
would let her rest no longer.
We will 60 for him, or at least GO where
we may hear of him. said Mr.. Heath,
who now, as anxious as his wife, readily
assentcd.
Their simple preparations for the jour
ney were soon made. and with heavy
hearts they proceeded in search of their
son, with little hopes of gaining anything
more satisfactory than definite Intelligence
of his death
1t was dark and rainy evening when
they entered the city, and after an hour
spent in frutless inquiries, they found the
place where Alfred had been carried
Little care had be received in the crow.
dcd boarding house. There was none of
the ueatness and order that show better
in sick room than anywhere clse.-
Rough hands had roughly tended him.
and pale and death-like as be looked it
seemed as if it mattered 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 over him-tbey should
not hear of bis death with the sad
thought that none but stranger had
smoothed bis dying pillow.
The sufferer awoke from troubled
dream to find his aching head supported
by bis father, aud see his mothers eyes
resting on him with a look of unutterablc
tenderness. So faint was the smile OF
recognition with which he greeted them,
that only parents eye could have caught
the expression.
Cant livel can't live 7 said the doctor,
with professional carelessncs, as be en-
! tered the house the next morning.
But his mother has comol said the
landlady.